Coded record sensing apparatus for sheets including magnetic indicia

ABSTRACT

A system for sensing coded records and structures for sensing coded records are used to sense sheets including notes and checks. The system includes at least one movable sheet supporting plate member in an automated banking machine. An angular reflective piece operatively connected with the plate member enables sensing sheets using radiation from transversely positioned sensors. The automated banking machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofProvisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/857,942 filed Nov. 10, 2006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to coded record sensors and associated sensorstructures that may be classified in U.S. Class 235, Subclass 439.Exemplary embodiments relate to methods of sensing coded records such asnotes and checks in an automated banking machine. This invention alsopertains to coded record storage devices which may be classified in U.S.Class 235, Subclass 486.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. Such automatedbanking machines operate responsive to data read from coded records.Automated banking machines are commonly used to carry out transactionssuch as dispensing cash, checking account balances, paying bills and/orreceiving deposits from users. Other types of automated banking machinesmay be used to purchase tickets, to issue coupons, to present checks, toprint scrip and/or to carry out other functions either for a consumer ora service provider. For purposes of this description any device which isused for carrying out transactions involving transfers of value shall bereferred to as an automated banking machine.

Automated banking machines may benefit from improvements.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a systemcontrolled by data bearing records.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a codedrecord sensing device and method.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a recordcontrolled calculating apparatus.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a depositaccepting apparatus which can be used to accept, image and verify theauthenticity of items.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in thefollowing Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.

In an exemplary embodiment an automated banking machine includes a cardreader. The card reader is operative to read data included on usercards. The data read from user cards is used to identify authorizedusers who may perform transactions at the machine. The exemplaryembodiment operates to accept documents. These documents may includechecks, currency bills and/or other types of documents. A single depositaccepting device may accept multiple types of documents. In thisembodiment a document such as a check is received through an opening inthe housing of the banking machine and moved in a transport path thereinin a first direction by a first transport. Sensors are operative tosense the document has moved into a suitable location within the device.The document is then disengaged from the first transport and engagedwith a pair of second transports which are disposed from one another inthe first direction. The second transports engage the document and areoperative to move the document in the transport path a directiontransverse of the first direction. The first transport disengages fromthe document such that the second transports can move the document andalign an edge thereof extending along the first direction with aplurality of non-contact sensors. At least one processor operates inaccordance with its programming to control the second transports andcontrols movement of the document in the second direction such that anedge of the document is aligned with the non-contact sensors which serveas a “virtual wall” for purposes of positioning the document.

Once the document is aligned such that an edge extends along the firstdirection in the desired orientation, the first transport reengages thedocument while the second transports disengage. The document is thenmoved again in the first direction past one or more appropriate sensingdevices. In the exemplary embodiment because the document is alignedalong the first direction, documents which are checks may have magneticindicia such as the micr line or other portion thereof, read throughoperation of one or more magnetic sensors such as a magnetic read head.Alternatively or in addition when the document is moved in a firstdirection, the magnetic properties of the document may be read orotherwise sensed in a plurality of locations by one or more magneticsensors which are operative to read magnetic properties of the document,including indicia thereon such as the micr line and/or other features.

In this exemplary embodiment the check is moved in a first directionpast a pair of scanning sensors. The scanning sensors are operative toread optical indicia on each side of the check and to produce image datacorresponding thereto. The data corresponding to the optical indicia maybe processed such that data corresponding to images of the front andrear of the check or portions thereof are generated and stored throughoperation of the processor in one or more data stores of the bankingmachine. The indicia on the check may also be analyzed for purposes ofdetermining information regarding on the check so that it can be used inconducting a transaction.

In this embodiment once a check has been moved past the sensors whichcapture data corresponding to optical indicia, the check is moved ingenerally the first direction into an area which may serve as an escrowarea for checks. In some embodiments the escrow area may be ofsufficient length so that multiple checks or other documents may betemporarily stored therein. In the exemplary embodiment, the machineoperates to determine whether the check is to be accepted or returned tothe customer while the check is held in the escrow area. For example insome embodiments one or more processors in the banking machine mayoperate to determine if the check can be sufficiently accurately read,redeemed for cash or otherwise processed while the check is stored inthe escrow area. If it is determined that the check cannot be accepted,one or more transports are operative to move the check out of thebanking machine so that the check is returned to the customer.

Alternatively if the check is found to be suitable for acceptance, thecheck is moved from the escrow area past one or more stamper printers.The stamper printer is operative to apply ink marks to one or moresurfaces of the check so as to indicate that the check has beencancelled or otherwise processed. In an exemplary embodiment the checkis thereafter moved into a vertically extending transport. As the checkenters the vertical transport, printing is conducted on the checkthrough operation of a suitable inkjet or other printer. Appropriateprinting is applied to the check to indicate it has been cancelled orotherwise processed as the check moves past the inkjet printer. Ofcourse printing of various indicia may be applied when other types ofdocuments are processed.

In the exemplary embodiment the inkjet printer has aligned on an opposedside of the transport therefrom, an ink catcher mechanism. The inkcatcher mechanism of the exemplary embodiment includes a movable head.The movable head includes an opening therein such that the opening maybe aligned with the ink spraying nozzles on the head of the inkjetprinter so as to receive ink therein that is not deposited on the checkor other document. The exemplary embodiment of the movable head alsoincludes a wiper. The head is moved through operation of a motor orother moving device at appropriate times so that the wiper engages thehead of the inkjet printer so as to minimize the buildup of ink andcontaminants thereon. This facilitates accurate printing and helps tominimize the risk of potential damage to checks by the accumulation ofexcess ink within the machine.

Checks or other documents that move past the printer in the verticaltransport are moved downward in the exemplary embodiment into a storagearea. Once the documents have moved adjacent a lower surface of thestorage area a transversely movable plunger mechanism is operative toengage the check and move it out of the vertical transport. In anexemplary embodiment the plunger mechanism is operative to be movablesuch that the check can be either moved into a storage location oneither transverse side of the vertical transport. Once the check ismoved out of the transport by the plunger mechanism the check or otherdocument may be held in intermediate relation between a pair of wallsurfaces and a spring biased backing plate. As a result checks or otherdocuments may be selectively moved by the plunger mechanism for storagein a selected one of the locations in the storage area.

Various approaches may be taken in the operation of automated bankingmachines for storing documents that are received by the documentaccepting mechanism. For example in some embodiments the mechanism mayonly accept checks. In such embodiments the machine may operate inaccordance with its programming to segregate checks that are drawn onthe particular institution owning the banking machine that receives thecheck, from checks that are drawn on other institutions. Alternativelythe banking machine may be programmed to store valid checks in onecompartment and suspect checks in another compartment. Alternatively insome other embodiments the document accepting mechanism may storemultiple types of documents. For example in a banking machine thataccepts currency bills and checks through the mechanism, bills may bestored in one compartment while checks are stored in another. Variousapproaches may be taken based on the programming of the particularautomated banking machine.

In an alternative embodiment the automated banking machine includes asheet access area which is operative to accept a stack including aplurality of sheets from a machine user. The sheet access area isbounded by a first sheet driver member and an opposed second sheetdriver member. At least one divider plate extends verticallyintermediate of the first and second sheet driver members. The at leastone divider plate and second sheet driver member are relatively movablewith respect to the first sheet driver member. The at least one dividerplate is operative to separate a first side from a second side of thesheet access area.

In the exemplary embodiment, a first side of the sheet access area isoperative to receive a stack of sheets from the machine user. The firstside is in operative connection with a sheet picker that separates eachsheet individually from the stack. The picker delivers each individualsheet to a transport in the sheet processing device which isalternatively referred to herein as a deposit accepting device. Thesheet processing device is operative in conjunction with the machine todetermine whether each of the sheets is acceptable, and if so acceptablesheets are accepted and stored in the machine. If not, the sheets aremoved back toward the sheet access area. In the exemplary embodiment, adiverter moves and/or directs sheets to be delivered out of the machinefrom the at least one sheet processing device to the second side of thedivider plate. In the exemplary embodiment the first sheet driver memberand the second sheet driver member are operative to act through at leastone opening in the at least one divider plate to move sheets both on thefirst side and the second side of the divider plate. Sheets to bereturned to the ATM user are moved by the first and second sheet drivingmembers out of the sheet opening of the machine for delivery to theuser.

In still other embodiments, radiation type sheet detectors are used inconjunction with the at least one divider plate to detect sheets on thefirst side and on the second side. A further radiation type sheetdetector is used to detect sheets that may be present on either thefirst side or the second side. This is accomplished in an exemplaryembodiment through the use of an angularly reflective piece in operativesupported connection with at least one divider plate. The angularlyreflective piece is operative to reflect radiation. The radiation in theexemplary embodiment is received and reflected at an acute anglerelative to the divider plate. This enables a sensor including anemitter and receiver combination to be positioned transversely away fromthe divider plate. This enables successfully determining whether sheetsare present on a particular side of the divider plate.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the at least one divider plateincludes at least one aperture. At least one sensor includes a radiationemitter on a first side of the aperture and a radiation receiver on asecond side of the aperture. Signals from this sensor are used by atleast one processor in the machine to determine if sheets are present inthe sheet access area either on the first side or the second side of thedivider plate. As can be appreciated, in this embodiment at least oneprocessor is operative to determine the presence of sheets and wherethey are in the sheet access area. This is possible because the sensorthat senses radiation through the aperture is operative to determine ifany sheets are present in the sheet access area regardless of whetherthey are on the first side or the second side of the divider plate.Further the radiation sensor is operative to sense radiation reflectedfrom the radiation reflective piece. The signals corresponding to themagnitude of radiation sensed are used by at least one processor in themachine to determine if sheets are present on the side associated withthe radiation reflective piece. As a result this exemplary arrangementenables determining if sheets are present and where they are located.Further in other exemplary embodiments the reflective piece may be usedin connection with sheet engaging pieces in each of the first side andthe second side. Further additional sensors may be used of thereflective or through type to determine sheet position in alternativeembodiments.

In still other exemplary embodiments a sheet storage and retrievaldevice such as a belt recycler device may be used. The sheet storage andretrieval device may be used to store sheets that are being held pendingdetermination whether they are suitable for storage in the machine, orshould be returned to the customer. The first sheet storage andretrieval device may be used to selectively deliver sheets either to thesheet access area for return to the customer or for delivery to a sheetstorage area.

In other exemplary embodiments a second sheet storage and retrievaldevice is positioned in operatively intermediate relation of the firstsheet storage and retrieval device and the sheet access area. In someexemplary embodiments sheets stored in escrow in the first sheet storageand retrieval device are moved in a sheet path toward the sheet accessarea. A divider in operative connection with the sheet path is operativeto divert sheets that are determined to have at least one property whichindicates they should be stored in the machine, for storage in thesecond sheet storage and retrieval device. Those sheets that are to bereturned to the customer are moved in the sheet path and are directed bythe diverter to the second storage area for return to the customer.Sheets to be retained in the machine stored on the second sheet storageand retrieval device can be then moved therefrom into suitable storageareas in the machine. This may include for example in some embodiments,check storage areas or note storage areas. In some exemplary embodimentsthe first sheet storage and retrieval device and the second sheetstorage and retrieval device may each comprise a belt recycling device.Of course in other embodiments other devices operative to store anddeliver sheets may be used. Further in some embodiments note storageareas in the machine may be in operative connection with recyclingdevices which are operative to selectively deliver notes stored therein.Such recycling devices may be part of the cash dispenser device in theautomated banking machine.

In still other exemplary embodiments the sheet processing device in themachine may include in combination with a device for aligning sheetswith the sheet path, at least one transversely movable magnetic readhead. In the exemplary embodiment, the device includes one relativelyfixed magnetic read head and one magnetic read head that are selectivelymovable. The sheet processing device further includes at least onesensor that is operative to sense the width of each check that isreceived in the machine. The at least one sensor is operative to sensethe width after the check has been positioned and aligned relative tothe direction of the sheet path. In the exemplary embodiment thealignment of the check in the sheet path is operative to position thecheck so that if the check is in a first physical orientation, magneticcharacters in the micr line will pass adjacent the fixed magnetic readhead. Further in the exemplary embodiment, based on the sensed width ofthe check, the movable magnetic read head is positioned throughoperation of a positioning device to move transversely in the sheet pathto a selected transverse position in the sheet path. If the check is ina second orientation indicia included in the micr line of the check willpass adjacent the second magnetic read head. As a result in theexemplary embodiment, the magnetic read heads are positioned for eachcheck regardless of the facing position of the check such that at leastone of the magnetic read heads will be positioned to capture signalscorresponding to micr line indicia on the check. In other exemplaryembodiments both magnetic read heads may be selectively movable so as toassure reading of indicia.

Numerous types of novel systems and methods are taught by the disclosurehereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary deposit accepting apparatusshown in an open condition for servicing.

FIG. 2 is an opposite hand isometric view of the deposit acceptingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the devices included in the depositaccepting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of a portion of an upper platen includingelements of a first transport which moves documents in a firstlongitudinal direction in the deposit accepting apparatus and secondtransports which move documents in a direction transverse to the firstdirection.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the platen and first and second drives shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing theplaten with rolls of the first and second transports extendingtherethrough.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an upper platen and a lower platen of atransport mechanism of the exemplary deposit accepting apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the positions of the first and secondtransports corresponding to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the transports operating to movea document in a first direction.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the first and second transports correspondingto FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the document moved further intothe deposit accepting apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a front plan view showing the positions of the first andsecond transports.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the document moved in asecond direction transverse to the first direction.

FIG. 14 is a front plan view showing the relative positions of the firstand second transports when a document is moved in a transversedirection.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing an edge of the documentaligned with the non-contact sensors.

FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 15 and shows the positions of the first andsecond transports.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 15 but showing an alternative documentincluding a folded edge.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the first and second transports correspondingto FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing the movable mounting of theexemplary magnetic read head of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a partially sectioned view corresponding to FIG. 19 furthershowing the movable mounting for the magnetic read head.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of the mounting for the magneticread head as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showing an ink catcher mechanism of anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a partially exploded view showing the movable head disposedfrom the body of the ink catcher.

FIG. 24 is an exploded isometric view showing the body of the inkcatcher of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary form of the stamperprinter used in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 26 is another exploded view of the exemplary stamper printer.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing the eccentric profile of the exemplaryembodiment of the printing roll of the stamper printer.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the storage compartment of thealternative deposit accepting mechanism shown with the storagecompartment having its access door in an open position.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the guide of the vertically extendingtransport that extends in the storage area.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the vertically extending transport thatextends in the storage area of the exemplary deposit acceptingapparatus.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the apparatus shown accepting a documentinto the vertically extending transport.

FIGS. 32 through 35 show the sequential movement of an exemplary plungermember as it operates to move a document held in the verticallyextending transport into a storage location positioned on the left sideof the storage mechanism as shown.

FIG. 36 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 31 showing the verticaltransport of the accepting a document therein.

FIGS. 37 through 40 show the sequential movement of the exemplaryplunger member to move a document in the vertical transport to a storagelocation on the right side of the vertical transport as shown.

FIG. 41 is a schematic view showing an automated banking machine with analternative exemplary deposit accepting device.

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of an exemplary deposit accepting device ofthe type shown in the automated banking machine of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a plan view of an exemplary platen in a document alignmentarea of the alternative deposit accepting device.

FIG. 44 is a view similar to FIG. 43 but including portions of a checktherein showing the location of the indicia included in the micr line inthe four possible orientations of a check in the document alignmentarea.

FIG. 45 is an isometric view showing an exemplary movable micr readhead.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are schematic views of an exemplary sheet access area ina position prior to accepting a stack of sheets.

FIGS. 48 and 49 are views of the sheet access area receiving the stackof sheets.

FIGS. 50 and 51 show the sheet access area while moving the stack ofsheets toward a picker.

FIGS. 52 and 53 show the sheet access area after the stack of sheets isaccepted therein and a gate mechanism is closed.

FIGS. 54 and 55 show the stack of documents while the stack is movinginto a position adjacent the picker.

FIGS. 56 and 57 show the sheet access area with the upper sheet drivingmember disposed away from the stack.

FIGS. 58 and 59 show the sheet access area receiving a rejected sheetwhile still holding some sheets from the original input stack.

FIGS. 60 and 61 show the sheet driver members operating to move sheetsout of the sheet access area in which the sheets are positioned on bothsides of the divider plate.

FIGS. 62 and 63 show sheets on each side of the divider plate that havebeen presented to the customer in a position being returned into themachine, which may be done for example in response to the machine usernot taking the sheets.

FIGS. 64 and 65 show retracted sheets being picked for storage in themachine through operation of the picker.

FIGS. 66 and 67 show the sheet access area operating to deliver a stackof sheets to a user such as a stack of rejected checks.

FIG. 68 shows an exemplary sensor arrangement of the sheet access area.

FIG. 69 is a plan view of an exemplary divider plate.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,548 the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference, discloses an exemplary deposit accepting device of a cardactivated cash dispensing automated banking machine. For purposes ofthis disclosure a deposit accepting device shall be construed toencompass any apparatus which senses indicia on documents input to anautomated banking machine.

A deposit accepting device 420 of an exemplary embodiment and having thefeatures described hereafter is shown in FIG. 1. The deposit acceptingdevice is shown with the mechanism open so as to enable more readilydescribing its components. The deposit accepting mechanism would be openin the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 only when the device is not inoperation. Rather the device would be placed in the open condition forservicing activities such as clearing jams, cleaning, adjusting orreplacing components. This can be readily done in this exemplaryembodiment by a servicer as later described.

The deposit accepting device includes a document inlet opening 422. Inthe exemplary embodiment during operation the inlet opening is incommunication with the outside of the housing of the automated bankingmachine. Documents received through the inlet opening travel along atransport path in the device. The transport path in the device furtherincludes a document alignment area 424 in which documents are aligned tofacilitate the processing thereof. The exemplary form of the unitfurther includes a document analysis area 426. The exemplary documentanalysis area includes scanning sensors and magnetic sensors forpurposes of reading indicia from the documents.

The exemplary form of the device further includes an escrow area 428along the transport path. In the escrow area documents that have beenreceived are stored pending determination to either accept the documentsor return them to the user. The exemplary deposit accepting devicefurther includes a storage area 430 which operates to store documentsthat have been accepted for deposit within the deposit accepting device.Of course it should be understood that this structure is exemplary ofarrangements that may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment documents are received through the openingand the presence of a document is sensed by at least one sensor 432.Sensing a document at the opening at an appropriate time during ATMoperation (such as at a time when a user indicates through an inputdevice of the machine that they wish to input a document) causes atleast one processor to operate so as to control a gate 434. Theprocessor operates upon sensing the document to cause the gate to movefrom the closed position to the open position. This is accomplished inthe exemplary embodiment by a drive such as an electric motor orsolenoid moving an actuator member 436 as shown in FIG. 1. The actuatormember 436 includes a cam slot 438 which causes corresponding movementof the gate 434 to the desired position. In some embodiments the atleast one sensor 432 or other sensor in the device is operative to senseproperties that would indicate whether the document being inserted is adouble or other multiple document. At least one processor in the bankingmachine may operate in accordance with its programming to not acceptmultiple documents and to cause the banking machine to provide at leastone output to advise the user to insert a single document.

Responsive to the sensing of the document and other conditions asdetermined by at least one processor, a first transport 440 operates tomove the document into the document alignment area. In the exemplaryembodiment the document is moved in engaged relation between a beltflight 442 and rollers 444. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, rollers 444extend in openings 446 in an upper platen 448 to engage or at least movein very close proximity to belt flight 442. As shown in FIG. 4, rollers444 are mounted on a movable carriage 450. Carriage 450 is movablerotationally about a shaft 452. Movement of the carriage 450 enablesselectively positioning of the rollers 444 to be in proximity to thesurface of belt flight 442 or to be disposed away therefrom for reasonsthat are later discussed. After the document is sensed as having movedinto the device the processor operates to cause the gate to be closed.Alternatively if a user has provided inputs through input devices on themachine indicating that they will be depositing more documents in themachine, the gate may remain open until the last document is deposited.

As shown in FIG. 4 through 6, platen 448 in the operative position is inadjacent relation with a lead in guide 454. Guide portion 454 and platen448 include corresponding contoured edges 456, 458. The contoured edgesof the exemplary embodiment are of a toothed contoured configuration.This configuration is used in the exemplary embodiment to reduce therisk that documents will become caught at the adjacent edges of theplaten and the guide. The toothed contoured configuration of theadjacent surfaces helps to minimize the risk that documents catch or arefolded or damaged as they pass the adjacent surfaces. Of course itshould be understood that this approach is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment the document alignment area includestransverse transport rolls 460 and 462. The transverse transport rollsextend through apertures in the platen 464 that supports belt flight442. The transverse transport rolls of the exemplary embodiment areconfigured to have axially tapered surfaces extending in eachlongitudinal direction from the radially outermost extending portion ofthe roll so as to minimize the risks of documents being caught by asurface thereof. In alternative embodiments transverse transport rollsmay have simple or compound curved surfaces to minimize the risk ofcatching transversely moving documents, which configurations shall alsobe referred to as tapered for purposes of this disclosure. In theexemplary embodiment the upper surface of the transverse transport rollsare generally at about the same level as the upper surface of beltflight 442. In addition each of the transverse transport rolls are inoperative connection with a drive device. The drive device of theexemplary embodiment enables the transverse transport rolls to moveindependently for purposes of aligning documents as later discussed.

In supporting connection with platen 448 are a pair of transversefollower rolls 466 and 468. The transverse follower rolls each extend ina corresponding opening in the platen 448. Transverse follower roll 466generally corresponds to the position of transverse transport roll 460.Likewise transverse follower roll 468 corresponds to the position oftransverse transport roll 462. As shown in FIG. 4, rolls 466 and 468 aresupported on a movable carriage 470. Carriage 470 is rotatably movableabout shaft 452. A drive 472 is selectively operative responsive tooperation of one or more processors in the banking machine to cause themovement of carriage 470 and carriage 450. The drive may be a suitabledevice for imparting movement, such as a motor or a solenoid. As aresult, drive 472 of the exemplary embodiment is selectively operativeto dispose rollers 444 adjacent to belt flight 442 or dispose therollers therefrom. Likewise drive 472 is selectively operative to placetransverse follower rolls 466 and 468 in adjacent relation withtransverse transport rolls 460 and 462. These features are useful forpurposes of aligning documents as will be later discussed. Of coursethis approach to a transverse transport for documents is exemplary andin other embodiments other approaches may be used.

The document alignment area 424 further includes a plurality ofalignment sensors 474. In the exemplary embodiment non-contact sensorsare used, which can sense the document without having to have anyportion of the sensor contact the document. The exemplary alignment areaincludes three alignment sensors that are disposed from one anotheralong the transport direction of belt flight 442. In the exemplaryembodiment one sensor is aligned transversely with each of rolls 460 and462 and a third sensor is positioned intermediate of the other twosensors. The alignment sensors of the exemplary embodiment are radiationtype and include an emitter and a receiver. The sensors sense thedocuments that move adjacent thereto by detecting the level of radiationfrom the emitter that reaches the receiver. It should be understood thatalthough three alignment sensors are used in the exemplary embodiment,other embodiments may include greater or lesser numbers of such sensors.Further while the alignment sensors are aligned along the direction ofdocument transport path in the exemplary embodiment, in otherembodiments other sensor arrangements may be used such as a matrix ofsensors, a plurality of transversely disposed sensors or other suitablearrangement.

The operation of the document alignment area will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8 through 18. In the exemplary embodiment when adocument is sensed entering the device, carriage 450 which is controlledthrough the drive 472 is positioned such that rollers 444 are positionedin adjacent relation to belt flight 442. This position is shown in FIG.8. In this document receiving position carriage 470 is moved such thatthe transverse follower rolls 466 and 468 are disposed away from thetransverse transport rolls 460 and 462.

In response to sensing a document 476 being positioned in the inletopening 422 and other appropriate conditions, the at least one processoris operative to cause the first transport 440 to move belt flight 442.If a double or other multiple document is sensed the first transport maynot run or may run and then return the document to the user aspreviously discussed. Moving belt flight 442 inward causes the firstdocument to be moved and engaged with the transport in sandwichedposition between the rollers 444 and the belt flight as shown in FIG. 9.In this position the transverse transport and transverse follower rollsare disposed away from one another so that the document 476 can move inengagement with the first transport into the document alignment area.The tapered surfaces of the transverse transport rolls 460,462facilitate the document moving past the rolls without snagging. Itshould also be noted that projections on the surface of platen 464operate to help to move the document by minimizing the risk of thedocument snagging on various component features. Further the projectionson the platen help to minimize the effects of surface tension that mightotherwise resist document movement and/or cause damage to the document.Of course these approaches are exemplary, and other embodiments mayemploy other approaches.

Position sensors for documents are included in the document alignmentarea and such sensors are operative to sense when the document has movedsufficiently into the document alignment area so that the document canbe aligned. Such sensors may be of the radiation type or other suitabletypes. When the document 476 has moved sufficiently inward, the firsttransport is stopped. In the stopped position of the transport, thedrive 472 operates to move carriage 470 as shown in FIG. 12. This causesthe transverse transport and follower rolls to move adjacent with thedocument 476 positioned therebetween so as to engage the document.

Thereafter as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 the drive 472 is operative tomove the carriage 450. This causes the rollers 444 to be disposed frombelt flight 442 which disengages this transport with respect to thedocument. Thereafter the one or more drives which are operative to movethe transverse transport rolls, operate responsive to at least oneprocessor so as to move document 476 in a direction transverse to thedirection of prior movement by belt flight 442 as well as to deskew thedocument. As shown in FIG. 15, the document 476 is moved sideways untila longitudinal edge 478 is aligned with the alignment sensors 474. Inthe exemplary embodiment the alignment sensors 474 provide a virtualwall against which to align the longitudinal edge of the document. Thesensing of the document by the alignment sensors 474 of the edge of thedocument enables precise positioning of the document and aligning it ina desired position which facilitates later reading indicia therefrom. Inan exemplary embodiment in which the documents are checks, the precisealignment of the longitudinal edge enables positioning of the documentand its micr line thereon so as to be in position to be read by a readhead as later discussed. Of course in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In some exemplary embodiments the alignment sensors are in operativeconnection with one or more processors so that the transports arecontrolled responsive to the sensors sensing a degree of reduction inradiation at a receiver from an associated emitter of a sensor as thedocument moves toward a blocking position relative to the sensor. Theexemplary embodiment may be configured such that a drive operating thetransverse transport roll may cease to further move the sheettransversely when the alignment sensor which is transversely alignedwith the transport roll senses a certain reduction in the amount ofradiation reaching the sensor from the emitter. Thereafter the otherdrive operating the other transverse transport roll may continue tooperate until the alignment sensor that corresponds to that transportroll senses a similar degree of reduction. In this way the processoroperating the independently controlled transverse transport rolls causethe longitudinal edge of the document to be aligned with the virtualwall produced through use of the sensors.

In alternative embodiments the apparatus may operate in accordance withits programming to cause the respective transverse transport rolls tomove the document transversely such that a reduction in radiation fromthe respective emitter is sensed reaching the corresponding receiveruntil no further reduction occurs. This corresponds to a condition wherethe document fully covers the corresponding receiver. Thereafter therespective drive for the transverse transport roll may be reversed indirection to a desired level such as, for example, fifty percent of thetotal reduction which would indicate that the transverse edge ispositioned to cover approximately fifty percent of the receiver. In thisway this alternative embodiment may be able to align documents that haverelatively high radiation transmissivity or transmissivity that isvariable depending on the area of the document being sensed by thesensor. Alternatively a transverse linear array of sensors, such as CCDsmay be used to determine the transverse position of a particular portionof the edge of the sheet. Alternatively a plurality of transverselyextending arrays of sensors may be used to sense the positions of one ormore portions of one or more edges of the sheet. A plurality of spacedarrays may be used to sense the position of the sheet. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

Once the document has been aligned and moved to the position shown inFIG. 15, the drive 472 operates to move the carriage 450 such that therollers 444 are again moved adjacent to belt flight 442. Thereafter thedrive moves the carriage 470 so as to dispose the transverse followerrolls 466 and 468 away from the transverse transport rolls. Thisposition is shown in FIG. 8. Thereafter the now aligned document can befurther moved along the transport path through movement of the firsttransport out of the document alignment area of the device to thedocument analysis area.

FIGS. 17 and 18 disclose an operational feature of the exemplaryembodiment where a document 480 has a folded edge. In this exemplarysituation the folded edge is configured so that the alignment sensor 474which corresponds to transverse transport roll 462 cannot sense alongitudinal edge of the document until the document is unduly skewed.However, in this situation the middle alignment sensor will be operativeto sense the middle portion of the longitudinal edge as will thealignment sensor that corresponds to transverse transport roll 460before sensor 474 senses the edge of the document. In the exemplaryembodiment the at least one processor that controls the operation of thedrives for the transverse transport rolls is operative to controlmovement of the document transversely when the middle alignment sensorsenses the edge of the document even through one of the end sensors hasnot. This is true even for a folded document or a document that has beentorn. The at least one processor controls each transverse roll to movethe document transversely until two of the three sensors detect and edgeof the document in the desired aligned position. In this way even suchan irregular document is generally accurately aligned in thelongitudinal direction from the transport.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiment uses radiationtype sensors for purposes of aligning the document in the alignmentsection. In other embodiments other types of sensors such as sonicsensors, inductance sensors, air pressure sensors or other suitablesensors or combinations thereof, may be used.

Once the document has been aligned in the document alignment area of thetransport path, the deposit accepting device operates responsive to theprogramming associated with one or more processors, to cause thedocument to be moved along the transport path by the first transportinto the document analysis area. In the exemplary embodiment thedocument analysis area includes at least one magnetic sensing devicewhich comprises the magnetic read head 482. Magnetic read head 482 is insupporting connection with platen 448 and in the exemplary embodiment ismovable relative thereto. The alignment of the document in the documentalignment area is operative in the exemplary embodiment to place themicr line on the check in corresponding relation with the magnetic readhead. Thus as the document is moved by the first transport into thedocument analysis area, the micr line data can be read by the magneticread head. Of course in some alternative embodiments micr or othermagnetic indicia may be read through other magnetic sensing elementssuch as the type later discussed, or optically, in the manner shown inU.S. Pat. No. 6,474,548, for example.

FIGS. 19 through 21 show an exemplary form of the movable mounting forthe magnetic read head 482. In the exemplary embodiment the magneticread head is positioned in a retainer 484. Retainer 484 includes a firstprojection 486 that extends in and is movable in an aperture 488.Retainer 484 also includes a projection 490 which is movable in anaperture 492. A tension spring 494 extends through a saddle area 496 ofthe housing 484. The saddle area includes two projections which acceptthe spring 494 therebetween. This exemplary mounting for the magneticread head provides for the head to float such that it can maintainengagement with documents that are moved adjacent thereto. However, themovable character of the mounting which provides both for angular andvertical movement of the read head reduces risk of snagging documents asthe documents move past the read head. Further the biased springmounting is readily disengaged and enables readily replacing themagnetic read head in situations where that is required. Of course thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

The exemplary document analysis area includes in addition to the readhead a magnetic sensing element 498. The magnetic sensing element insome exemplary embodiments may read magnetic features across thedocument as the document is moved in the document analysis area. In someembodiments the magnetic reading device may be operative to readnumerous magnetic features or lines so as to facilitate the magneticprofile of the document as discussed herein. In some embodiments themagnetic sensing element may sense areas of the document in discreteelements which provide a relatively complete magnetic profile of thedocument or portions thereof. In some embodiments the magnetic sensingcapabilities may be sufficient so that a separate dedicated read headfor reading the micr line of checks is not required. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and may vary depending on the type of documentswhich are being analyzed through the system.

The exemplary document analysis area further includes a first scanningsensor 500 and a second scanning sensor 502. The scanning sensors areoperative to sense optical indicia on opposed sides of the document. Thescanning sensors in combination with at least one processor areoperative to produce data which corresponds to a visual image of eachside of the document. This enables analysis of visual indicia ondocuments through operation of at least one processor in the ATM. In thecase of checks and other instruments the scanning sensors also enablecapturing data so as to produce data which corresponds to image of acheck which may be used for processing an image as a substitute check,and/or other functions.

In some embodiments, the data corresponding to images of the documentsmay be used by the ATM to provide outputs to a user. For example, animage of a check may be output through a display screen of the ATM so auser may be assured that the ATM has captured the image data. In somecases at least one processor in the ATM may apply digital watermarks orother features in the data to minimize the risk of tampering. In someembodiments at least one processor may operate in accordance with itsprogramming to indicate through visual outputs to a user with the imagethat security features have been applied to the image data. This mayinclude outputs in the form of words and/or symbols which indicate asecurity feature has been applied. This helps to assure a user that theATM operates in a secure manner in processing the accepted check. Ofcourse, this approach is exemplary of things that may be done in someembodiments.

In alternative embodiments the programming of one or more processorsassociated with the ATM may enable the scanning sensors, magneticsensors and other sensing elements to gather data which is usable toanalyze other types of documents. Other types of sensing elements mayinclude, for example, UV, IR, RFID, fluorescence, RF and other sensorsthat are capable of sensing properties associated with document.Documents may include for example receipts, certificates, currency,vouchers, gaming materials, travelers checks, tickets or other documenttypes. The data gathered from the sensors in the analysis area may beprocessed for purposes of determining the genuineness of such itemsand/or the type and character thereof. Of course the nature of thesensors included in the analysis area may vary depending on the type ofdocuments to be processed by the device. Also some embodiments mayoperate so that if a micr line or other magnetic characters on thedocument are not aligned with the magnetic read head, the document cannonetheless be analyzed and processed using data from other sensors.

It should also be noted that documents are moved in the documentanalysis area through engagement with a plurality of driving rolls 504.The driving rolls 504 operate in response to one or more drives that arecontrolled responsive to operation of one or more processors in the ATM.The drives are operative to move documents into proximity with and pastthe sensors so as to facilitate the reading of indicia thereon. Thedocument may be moved in one or more directions to facilitate thereading and analysis thereof.

Once a document has been moved through the document analysis area, thedocument passes along the transport path into escrow area 428. Escrowarea 428 includes a third transport 506. Transport 506 includes an upperbelt flight 508. The plurality of cooperating rollers 510 supportedthrough platen 449 are positioned adjacent to belt flight 508 in theoperative position. Documents entering the escrow area are moved inengagement with belt flight 508 and intermediate to belt flight and therollers.

In the exemplary embodiment documents that have been passed through thedocument analysis area are moved in the escrow area where the documentsmay be stopped for a period of time during which decisions are madeconcerning whether to accept the document. This may include for example,making a determination through operation of the ATM or other connectedsystems concerning whether to accept an input check. If it is determinedthat the check should not be accepted, the direction of the transportsare reversed and the check is moved from the escrow area through thedocument analysis area, the document alignment area and back out of theATM to the user. Alternatively if the decision is made to accept thedocument into the ATM, the document is moved in a manner later discussedfrom the escrow area to the document storage area of the device.

In some exemplary embodiments the escrow area may be sufficiently largeto hold several checks or other documents therein. In this way a userwho is conducting a transaction involving numerous checks may have allthose checks accepted in the machine, but the programming of the machinemay enable readily returning all those checks if the user elects to doso or if any one or more of the documents is determined to beunacceptable to the machine. Alternatively or in addition, storagedevices such as belt storage mechanisms, transports or other escrowdevices may be incorporated into the transport path of a depositaccepting device so that more numerous documents may be. stored thereinand returned to the user in the event that a transaction is notauthorized to proceed. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

It should be noted that the exemplary escrow area includes a lowerplaten with a plurality of longitudinal projections which extendthereon. The longitudinal projections facilitate movement of thedocument and reduce surface tension so as to reduce the risk of thedocument being damaged.

In the exemplary embodiment the escrow area further includes a stamperprinter 512. In the exemplary embodiment the stamper printer issupported through platen 449 and includes an ink roll type printer whichis described in more detail in FIGS. 25 through 27. The escrow areafurther includes a backing roll 514 which operates to assure thatdocuments move in proximity to the stamper printer so that indicia canbe printed thereon.

The exemplary form of the stamper printer is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 25 through 27. The exemplary printer includes an eccentric inkbearing roll 518 shown in FIG. 27. The eccentric shape of the inkbearing roll in cross section includes a flattened area 520 which isdisposed radially closer to a rectangular opening 522 which extends inthe roll, than a printing area 524 which is angularly disposed and inopposed relation thereof. The flattened area is generally positionedadjacent to documents when documents are moved through the escrow areaand printing is not to be conducted thereon by the stamper printer. Inthe exemplary embodiment the ink roll 518 is encapsulated in plastic andis bounded by a plastic coating or cover about its circumference.Apertures or openings are cut therethrough in the desired design that isto be printed on the documents. As can be appreciated, the apertureswhich are cut in the plastic which encapsulates the outer surface of theink bearing roll enables the ink to be transferred from the ink holdingroll material underlying the plastic coating, to documents in the shapeof the apertures. For example in the embodiment shown a pair of angledlines are printed on documents by the stamper printer. Of course thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other types of inkingmechanisms and/or designs may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment the ink roll 518 is supported on a firstshaft portion 526 and a second shaft portion 528. The shaft portionsinclude rectangular projections that are generally rectangular inprofile 523, that extend in the opening 522 of the ink roll. The shaftportions include flanged portions 530 and 532 that are disposed from theradial edges of the roll. Shaft portions 526 and 528 include aninterengaging projection 525 and access 527, as well as a tab 529 andrecess that engage and serve as a catch, which are operative to engageand be held together so as to support the roll.

Shaft portion 526 includes an annular projection 534. Annular projection534 is adapted to engage in a recess which is alternatively referred toas a slot (not separately shown) which extends generally vertically in abiasing tab 536 as shown in FIG. 25. Biasing tab 536 is operative toaccept the projection in nested relation and is operative to provide anaxial biasing force against shaft portion 526 when the first shaftportion is positioned therein. This arrangement enables holding theshaft portion in engaged relation with the biasing tab. However, when itis desired to change the stamper printer and/or the ink roll therein,the biasing tab may be moved such that the annular projection may beremoved from the interengaging slot by moving the projection 534 upwardin the recess so as to facilitate removal of the printer and ink roll.The biasing tab is supported on a bracket 538 that is in supportingconnection with the platen which overlies the escrow area.

Second shaft portion 528 includes an annular projection 540. Projection540 includes on the periphery thereof an angled radially outwardextending projection 542. Projection 542 has a particular contour whichis angled such that the transverse width of the projection increaseswith proximity to the flange portion 542. This configuration is helpfulin providing a secure method for moving the ink roll but alsofacilitates changing the ink roll and stamper printer when desired.

In the exemplary embodiment the ink roll 518 is housed within a housing544. Housing 544 is open at the underside thereof such that the printingarea 524 can extend therefrom to engage a document from the escrow area.Housing 544 also includes two pairs of outward extending ears 546. Ears546 include apertures therein that accept housing positioningprojections 545 on the associated mounting surface of the device and areoperative to more precisely position the housing and the ink roll on thesupporting platen and to facilitate proper positioning when a new inkroll assembly is installed. Housing 544 also includes apertures 543through which the shaft portions extend. A flange portion is positionedadjacent to each aperture.

In the exemplary embodiment shaft portion 528 is driven through a clutchmechanism 548. Clutch mechanism 548 of the exemplary embodiment is awrap spring clutch type mechanism which is selectively actuatablethrough electrical signals. The clutch is driven from a drive through agear 550. The clutch 548 outputs rotational movement through a coupling552. Coupling 552 includes the annular recess that corresponds toprojection 540 and a radial recess which corresponds in shape toprojection 542. Thus in the exemplary embodiment the force of thebiasing tab enables the coupling 552 to solidly engage shaft portion528.

During operation gear 550 which is operatively connected to a driveprovides a mechanical input to the clutch 548. However, the ink rollgenerally does not rotate. Transport 506 is operative to move a documentin the transport in the escrow area responsive to signals from aprocessor. Sensors such as radiation sensors in the escrow area areoperative to indicate one or more positions of the document to theprocessor. When the document is to be marked with the stamper printer itis positioned adjacent to the ink roll by operation of a processorcontrolling the transport in the escrow area. A signal is sentresponsive to the processor to the clutch 548. This signal is operativeto engage the coupling 552 which causes the shaft portions 528 and 526to rotate the ink roll 518. As the ink roll rotates the printing area524 engages the surface of the document causing ink markings to beplaced thereon. The ink roll rotates in coordination with movement ofthe document. The clutch is operative to cause the coupling to carry outone rotation such that after the document has been marked, the printingarea is again disposed upward within the housing. The flattened portion520 of the ink roll is again disposed in its initial position facing thedocument. Thus documents are enabled to pass the stamper printer 512without having any unwanted markings thereon or without being snagged bythe surfaces thereof.

It should be understood that when it is desired to change the stamperprinter ink roll because the ink thereon has become depleted oralternatively because a different type of marking is desired, this maybe readily accomplished. A servicer does this by deforming or otherwisemoving the biasing tab 536 and moving the shaft portion 526 upward suchthat the annular projection 534 no longer extends in the slot in thebiasing tab. This also enables projection 534 to be moved upward and outof a stationary slot 554 in the bracket 538. As the annular projection534 is moved in this manner the annular projection 540 and radialprojection 542 are enabled to be removed from the corresponding recessesin the coupling 552. This enables the housing 544 to be moved such thatthe ears 546 on the housing can be separated from the positioningprojections which help to assure the proper positioning of the ink rollwhen the housing is in the operative position. Thereafter a new housingshaft and ink roll assembly can be installed. This may be accomplishedby reengaging the projections 540 and 542 with the coupling 552 andengaging the projection 534 in the slot of biasing tab 536. During suchpositioning the positioning projections are also extended in the ears546 of the housing, to locate the housing and reliably position the inkroll.

It should further be understood that although only one ink roll is shownin the exemplary embodiment, alternative embodiments may includemultiple ink rolls or multiple stamper printers which operate to printindicia on checks. Such arrangements may be used for purposes ofprinting varied types of information on various types of documents. Forexample in some situations it may be desirable to return a document thathas been processed through operation of the device to the user. In suchcircumstances a stamper printer may print appropriate indicia on thedocument such as a “void” stamp or other appropriate marking. Of coursethe type of printing that is conducted may vary as is appropriate forpurposes of the particular type of document that is being processed. Inother embodiments alternative approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment a document that is to be moved from theescrow area can be more permanently stored in the machine by moving thedocument to a storage area 430. Documents are moved from the escrow areatoward the storage area by moving the document in engagement with beltflight 508 so that the document engages a curved deflector 554.Deflector 554 causes the document to engage a vertical transport 556that extends in the storage area 430. As best shown in FIG. 30 verticaltransport 556 includes two continuous belts that are driven by a drive558. The transport 556 includes a pair of disposed belts, each of whichhas a belt flight 560. Each belt flight 560 extends in generally opposedrelation of a corresponding rail 562 of a vertical guide 564. As shownin FIG. 29 guide 564 of the exemplary embodiment is constructed so thatthe rails 562 are biased toward the belt flights by a resilientmaterial. This helps to assure the document can be moved between thebelt flights and the rails in sandwiched relation. Such a document 568is shown moving between the rails and the belt flights in FIG. 30.Alternatively in some embodiments a single belt flight, rollers or othersheet moving members may be used.

It should also be noted that in the exemplary embodiment the drive 558includes a spring biasing mechanism 568. The biasing mechanism acts onlower rolls 570 to assure proper tension is maintained in the beltflights 560.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the transport belts are housedwithin a housing which includes a pair of spaced back walls 572. Aslater discussed, back walls 572 serve as support surfaces for stacks ofdocuments that may be stored in a first section or location of thestorage area of the device. Similarly guide 564 includes a pair oftransversely disposed wall surfaces 574. Wall surfaces 574 providesupport for a stack of documents disposed in a second section orlocation of the storage area. Also as shown in FIG. 30, the verticaltransport 556 moves documents to adjacent a lower surface 576 whichbounds the interior of the storage area. Document sensing devices areprovided along the path of the vertical transport so that the drive 558can be stopped through operation of at least one processor once thedocument has reached the lower surface. This helps to assure thatdocuments are not damaged by movement in the drive. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

In the exemplary embodiment when at least some documents are moved fromthe escrow area into the vertical transport, the device operates toprint indicia thereon. This may be indicia of various types as describedherein, as would be appropriate for the types of documents beingprocessed. In the exemplary embodiment printing on the documents iscarried out through operation of an inkjet printer 578. The inkjetprinter includes a removably mounted printhead that is adjacent todocuments as they are moved in the vertical transport portion of thesheet path. The inkjet printer includes nozzles which are operative toselectively expel ink therefrom toward the sheet path and shoot ink ontothe adjacent surface of the document. The nozzles of the inkjet printeroperate in accordance with the programming of a processor which isoperative to drive the inkjet printer to expel ink selectively therefromto produce various forms of characters on the documents as may bedesired. For example in an exemplary embodiment the printer may beoperative to print indica on checks so as to indicate transactioninformation and/or the cancellation of such checks. In the exemplaryembodiment the print head is releasibly mounted through moveable membersto enable ready installation and removal.

The exemplary embodiment further includes an ink catching mechanism 580which is alternatively referred to herein as an ink catcher. In theexemplary embodiment the ink catching mechanism is operative to captureink that may be discharged from the printhead at times when no documentis present. This may occur for example if a document is misaligned inthe transport or if the machine malfunctions so that it attemptsprinting when no document is present. Alternatively the inkjet printermay be operated responsive to at least one processor at times whendocuments are not present for purposes of conducting head cleaningactivities or other appropriate activities for assuring the reliabilityof the inkjet printer. Further the exemplary embodiment of the inkcatcher mechanism is operative to tend the printhead by wiping thenozzles so as to further facilitate reliable operation. Of course itshould be understood that the exemplary ink catcher shown and describedis only one of many ink catcher configurations that may be used.

An exemplary form of the ink catching mechanism is shown in FIGS. 22through 24. The ink catching mechanism includes an ink holding body 582with an ink holding area therein. Body 582 has thereon an annularprojecting portion 584. Projecting portion 584 has an opening 586therein. Opening 586 of the projecting portion is in fluid communicationwith the ink holding interior area of the main portion of the body. Ofcourse this body configuration is merely exemplary.

A head portion 588 is comprised of a body portion configured to extendin overlying relation of the projecting portion 584. Head portion 588 ofthe exemplary embodiment comprises a generally annular body member thatincludes a flattened area 590 which has an opening 592 therein. Headportion 588 also has in supporting connection therewith a resilientwiper member 594 extending radially outward therefrom in an areadisposed angularly away from the opening 592.

As shown in FIG. 24 the exemplary embodiment of body 582 is of agenerally clamshell construction and includes a lower portion 596 and anupper portion 598. The upper and lower portions fit together as shown toform the body, including the annular projecting portion. Also housedwithin the interior of the exemplary embodiment of the body is an inkabsorbing member 600. The ink absorbing member is operative to absorbink which passes into the interior of the body through opening 586. Thebody is releasibly mounted in the machine through a mounting portion 601which accepts suitable fasteners or other holding devices.

In the operative condition the head portion 588 extends in overlyinggenerally surrounding relation of the projecting portion 584. The headportion is enabled to be selectively rotated through operation of adrive 602 that is operatively connected therewith. A disk member 604 andsensor 606 are operative to sense at least one rotational position ofthe head portion 588.

In operation of the exemplary form of the device, the head portion 588is generally positioned as shown in FIG. 22 with the opening 592 of thehead portion in aligned relation with the opening 586 in the projectingportion of the body. The projecting portion extends within an interiorarea of the rotatable head portion. In this position ink expelled fromthe inkjet printhead which does not strike a document, passes into theinterior of the body through the aligned openings. Thus for example ifthe programming of the machine calls for the machine to periodicallyconduct a head cleaning operation in which the nozzles of the inkjetprinthead are fired, the ink can be transmitted through sheet path inthe area of the transport where documents are normally present and intothe body of the ink catcher mechanism. Thereafter or periodically inaccordance with the programming of the machine, a processor in operativeconnection with the drive is operative to cause the drive 602 to rotatethe head portion 588. Rotation of the head portion is operative to causethe flexible wiper member 594 to engage the print head and wipe over theopenings of the inkjet nozzles. This avoids the buildup of ink which canprevent the efficient operation of the inkjet printer. Once the wiperhas moved across the nozzles the head returns to the position so thatexcess ink is accepted within the body. This is done in the exemplaryembodiment by having the head portion rotate in a first rotationaldirection about a full rotation. In this way the head portion rotatesfrom the position where the openings in the head portion and projectingportion are aligned with the print head. The head portion is rotated sothe openings are no longer aligned and the flexible wiper member engagesthe print head and wipes across the nozzles thereof. The head portioncontinues to rotate until the openings are again aligned.

In the exemplary embodiment the drive operates responsive to the atleast one processor to rotate the head portion in the first rotationaldirection about 360 degrees and then stops. In other embodiments thedrive may reverse direction and/or operate the head portion to undergomultiple rotations. In other embodiments the movable member may includemultiple openings and wiper members and may move as appropriate based onthe configuration thereof. In other embodiments the movable member mayinclude multiple openings and wiper members and may move as appropriatebased on the configuration thereof.

In some embodiments the at least one processor may operate the printhead periodically to clean or test the print head, and may operate theink catcher to wipe the nozzles only after such cleaning or test. Insome alternative embodiments wiping action may be done after every printhead operation or after a set number of documents have been printedupon. Various approaches may be taken in various embodiments.

In exemplary embodiments suitable detectors are used to determine whenthe print head needs to be replaced. At least one processor in operativeconnection with the print head may operate to provide an indication whenthe print cartridge should be changed. Such an indication may be givenremotely in some embodiments, by the machine sending at least onemessage to a remote computer. In the exemplary embodiment a servicer mayreadily remove an existing print cartridge such as by moving one or morefasteners, tabs, clips or other members. A replacement cartridge maythen be installed, and secured in the machine by engaging it with theappropriate members. In the exemplary embodiment electrical contacts forthe print head are positioned so that when the cartridge is in theoperative position the necessary electrical connections for operatingthe print head are made. The new cartridge is installed with the printhead thereof positioned in aligned relation with the opening in the headportion of the ink catcher so that ink from the print head will passinto the ink catcher and be held therein if there is no document in thesheet path between the print head and the ink catcher at the time ink isexpelled therefrom.

In the exemplary embodiment after a new ink cartridge has beeninstalled, a servicer may test the operation of the printer. This isaccomplished by providing appropriate inputs to the machine. A servicermoves a sheet into the sheet path. This may be done in some casesmanually and in other cases by providing and moving a sheet in the sheetpath through one or more transports. One or more inputs from theservicer to input devices of the machine cause the processor to operatethe printer to expel ink from the print head toward the sheet path. Ifthe sheet is present ink impacts the sheet to print thereon. In somecases the processor operates the print head to print an appropriatepattern such as one that tests that all the nozzles are working. Inother embodiments other indicia may be printed. Of course if no sheet ispresent in the sheet path, the ink from the print head passes into thebody of the ink catcher through the opening in the head portion. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary, and in other embodiments otherapproaches and processes may be used.

In some embodiments after printing is conducted the machine may operateto wipe the nozzles of the print head. This may be done in response tothe programming associated with the processor and/or in response to aninput from a servicer. In such a situation the drive operates to rotatethe head portion 588 about the projecting portion 584 so that theflexible wiper member engages the print head. In the exemplaryembodiment the wiper member wipes across the print head as the headportion of the ink catcher makes about one rotation from its initialposition. The head portion rotates responsive to the drive until thehead portion is again sensed as having the opening therein aligned withthe print head. This is sensed by the sensor 606 sensing the rotationalposition of the disk member 604. In response to sensing that one headportion is in the position for capturing ink from the print head, theprocessor is operative to cause the drive to cease operation. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In an exemplary embodiment when the ink catching mechanism has becomefilled with ink it is possible to replace the body by disengaging one ormore fasteners that hold it in position and install a new one in theoperative position. Alternatively in some embodiments the body may beopened and the ink absorbing member 600 removed and replaced with a newmember.

In the exemplary embodiment the body is disengaged from the machine bydisengaging the one or more fasteners or other devices that hold themounting portion 601 to the adjacent housing structure of the documentaccepting device. Once this is done, the body 580 is moved so that theprojecting portion 584 no longer extends within the interior area of themovable head portion 588. Once this is done, the body can be discarded.Alternatively, the body may be opened, the ink absorbing member 600removed, a new ink absorbing member installed and the body again closed.

A new body or one with a new ink absorbing member is installed byextending the projection portion 584 thereof within the interior area ofthe head portion 588. The body is then fastened in place through themounting portion. In response to appropriate inputs to an input deviceof the machine from a servicer, the processor operates to cause thedrive 602 to rotate the head portion 588. The processor may operate inaccordance with its programming to rotate the head portion 588 only asnecessary to align the opening 592 with the print head. Alternativelythe processor may operate the drive to make one or more rotations beforestopping the rotation of the head portion. In some embodiments theprocessor may operate the printer to test its operation as previouslydiscussed, and may then rotate the head portion to wipe the nozzles ofthe print head. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

Thus as can be appreciated the exemplary embodiment of the ink catchingmechanism provides an effective way for the printer to be operated so asto avoid the deposition of excess ink within the ATM as well as toenable the print nozzles to be maintained in a suitable operatingcondition so that printing may be reliably conducted.

In the exemplary embodiment documents such as checks are moved into thestorage area 430 through the vertical transport 556. Such documents areheld initially between the rails 562 of the guide 564 and the beltflights 560 of the vertical transport. In the exemplary embodiment suchdocuments may be selectively stored in one of two available sections(alternatively referred to herein as locations) of the storage area.These include a first storage location 608 positioned on a first side ofthe vertical transport and a second storage location 610 positioned onan opposed transverse side of the vertical transport. Selectivepositioning of documents into the storage locations is accomplishedthrough use of a movable plunger member 612 which operates responsive toone or more processors to disengage documents from the verticaltransport and move the documents into either the first storage locationor second storage location of the storage area.

FIGS. 31 through 35 show the operation of the exemplary plunger memberto move a document 614 into storage location 608. As shown in FIG. 32when the document 614 has moved downward into the storage area, theplunger 612 has been positioned to the right of the document as shown instorage location 610. In the exemplary embodiment movement of theplunger member is accomplished through use of a suitable drive andmovement mechanism such as a rack drive, worm drive, tape drive or othersuitable movement device. Such a drive is represented schematically bydrive 616 in FIG. 3.

Once the document has been moved to the proper position and the verticaltransport is stopped, the plunger 612 moves from the position shown inFIG. 32 to the left so as to engage the document. Such engagement withthe document deforms the contour of the document as shown and begins topull the document transversely away from engagement with the beltflights and the guide rails or other document moving structures. Aspring biased backing plate 618 which may have additional documents insupporting connection therewith, is moved by the action of the plungeras shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. Backing plate 618 is biased by a spring orother suitable device so that documents in supporting connection withthe backing plate are generally trapped between the backing plate andthe wall surfaces 574 of the guide.

As represented in FIGS. 34 and 35 as the plunger 612 moved furthertoward the storage location 608, the document disengages from the railsand belts so that the document is eventually held in supported relationwith the backing plate 618 by the plunger. Once the document 614 hasreached this position as shown in FIG. 35 the plunger may be moved againto the right as shown such that the document 614 is integrated into thedocument stack supported on backing plate 618. Further as the plunger612 returns toward its original position, the documents supported on thebacking plate are held in sandwiched relation between the wall surfaces574 of the guide and the backing plate. Thus the document 614 which wasmoved into the storage area has been selectively moved through operationof the plunger into the storage location 608.

FIGS. 36 through 40 show operation of the plunger member to store adocument in storage location 610. As shown in FIG. 37 a document 620 ismoved into the vertical transport and because this document is to bestored in storage location 610 the plunger member 612 is positionedresponsive to operation of the processor to the left of the document asshown. As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 movement of the plunger member 612toward the right as shown disengages the document from the transport andbrings it into supporting connection with a spring loaded backing plate622. Backing plate 622 is biased by a spring or other suitable biasingmechanism toward the left as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

Movement of the plunger 612 to the extent shown in FIG. 40 causes thedocument 620 to be supported in a stack on the backing plate 622. Inthis position the plunger may be again moved to the left such that thedocuments in the stack in storage location 610 are held in sandwichedrelation between the back walls 572 of the vertical transport and thebacking plate.

As can be appreciated in the exemplary embodiment documents can beselectively stored in a storage location of the device by positioningand moving the plunger so that the document is stored in the storagelocation as desired. This enables documents to be segregated intovarious document types. For example in some embodiments the ATM may beoperated such that checks that are drawn on the particular institutionoperating the machine are stored in one storage location of the storagearea 430 while others that are not drawn on that institution are storedin the other storage location. Alternatively in some embodiments wherethe mechanism is used to accept checks and currency bills, bills whichhave been validated may be stored in one storage location while billsthat have been determined to be counterfeit or suspect may be stored inanother storage section. In still further alternative embodiments wherethe device is operated to accept checks and bills, currency bills may bestored in one storage location while checks are stored in another. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary.

In alternative embodiments additional provisions may be made. Forexample in some embodiments one or more aligned vertical transports maybe capable of transporting documents through several vertically alignedstorage areas. In such situations a document may be moved to thevertical level associated with a storage area that is appropriate forthe storage of the document. Once at that level a plunger may movetransversely so as to place the document into the appropriate storagelocation on either side of the vertical transport. In this way numeroustypes of documents can be accepted and segregated within the ATM.

In still other alternative embodiments the storage mechanism may beintegrated with a document picker mechanism such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,331,000 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Thusdocuments which have been stored such as currency bills may thereafterbe automatically removed through operation of the picker mechanism anddispensed to users of the ATM machine. Various approaches may be takenutilizing the principals of the described embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2 exemplary storage area 440 is generally held in aclosed position such that the items stored therein are not accessibleeven to a servicer who has access to the interior of the ATM. This isaccomplished through use of a sliding door 624 which in the exemplaryembodiment is constructed of collapsible sections. The door is enabledto be moved such that access to documents stored in the storage area canbe accessed such as is shown in FIG. 28. In an exemplary embodiment theability to open door 624 is controlled by a lock 626. In the exemplaryembodiment lock 626 comprises a key lock such that authorized personsmay gain access to the interior of the storage area if they possess anappropriate key.

In some exemplary embodiments the deposit accepting device may bemounted in movable supporting connection with structures in the interiorof the housing of the banking machine. This may be done in the mannershown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,065 the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. In some exemplary embodiments a servicer may accessthe interior of the banking machine housing by opening one or moreexternal doors. Such doors may require the opening of one or more locksbefore the interior of the housing may be accessed. With such a dooropen the servicer may move the deposit accepting device 420 whilesupported by the housing so that the storage area of the device extendsoutside the housing. This may make it easier in some embodiments toremove documents from the storage area.

In the exemplary embodiment persons authorized to remove documents fromthe storage area may open the lock and move the door 624 to an openposition so as to gain access to the interior of the storage area.Documents that have been positioned in the storage locations can beremoved by moving the backing plates 622 and 618 against the springbiasing force of the respective springs or other biasing mechanisms 617,619, that holds the stacks of stored documents in sandwiched relation.Manually engageable tabs 628 and 630 are provided in the exemplaryembodiment so as to facilitate the servicer's ability to move thebacking plates against the respective biasing force. With the respectivebacking plate moved horizontally away from the vertical transport, thestack of documents between the backing plate and vertical transport canbe removed. Each backing plate can be moved to remove document stacks oneach horizontal side of the vertical transport. Once the storeddocuments have been removed, the backing plates can return automaticallyto the appropriate position to accept more documents due to the biasingforce. Likewise the door 624 can be closed and the lock returned to thelocked position. If the deposit accepting device is movably mounted sothat the storage area is outside the machine, it can be moved back intothe interior of the housing. The housing can then be secured by closingthe doors and locks thereon. This construction of the exemplaryembodiment not only facilitates the removal of checks, currency or otherdocuments, but is also helpful in clearing any jams that may occurwithin the vertical transport.

The exemplary embodiment also provides advantages in terms of clearingjams within the document alignment, analysis and/or escrow areas. Forexample as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device may be opened such thatthe entire transport path for documents up to the point of the verticaltransport may be readily accessed. As a result in the event that thedocument should become jammed therein, a servicer may unlatch a latchwhich holds a platen in position such as for example latch 632 shown inFIG. 1 and move the platen 448 rotationally and the components supportedthereon to the position shown so as to enable exposing the documentalignment area and document analysis area. As can be appreciated platen448 is mounted through hinges which enable the platen to rotate about anaxis through the hinges so as to facilitate the opening thereof.Likewise the portions of the platen 449 supporting the mechanismsoverlying the escrow area can be opened as shown to expose that area ofthe document transport path so as to facilitate accessing documentstherein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, platen 449 is rotatable about anaxis that extends generally perpendicular to the axis about which platen448 is rotatable. Further in the exemplary embodiment, platens 448 and449 are configured so that platen 448 must be moved to the open positionbefore platen 449 can be opened. Likewise platen 449 must be closedbefore platen 448 is closed. This exemplary construction enables the useof a single latch to secure the platens in the operative positions, andto enable unsecuring the single latch so that the platens can both bemoved to expose the document alignment, document analysis and escrowareas of the document transport path in the device. Of course, thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

In servicing the exemplary embodiment of the deposit accepting device420 which for purposes of this service discussion will be described withregard to checks, a servicer generally begins by opening a door or otheraccess mechanism such as a fascia or panel that enables gaining accessto an interior area of the housing of the ATM. In an exemplaryembodiment the check accepting device 420 is supported on slides, andafter unlatching a mechanism that normally holds the device in operativeposition, the device can be moved, while supported by the housing toextend outside the ATM. Of course in some situations and depending onthe type of service to be performed, it may not be necessary to extendthe device outside the ATM housing. Alternatively in some situations aservicer may extend the device outside the housing and then remove thedevice from supporting connection with the ATM housing completely. Thismay be done for example, when the entire device is to be replaced with adifferent device.

The servicer may disengage the latch 632 and rotate platen 448 about theaxis of its hinges. This exposes the areas of the transport path throughthe device in the document alignment area 424 and document analysis area426. It should be noted that when the platen 448 is moved to the openposition the toothed contoured edges 456,458 shown in FIG. 4, are movedapart.

With the platen 448 moved to expose the document alignment and documentanalysis areas, any checks which have become caught or jammed thereincan be removed by the servicer. The servicer can also conduct otheractivities such as cleaning the scanning sensors or the magnetic readhead. Such cleaning may be done using suitable solvents, swabs or othermaterials. The servicer may also clean, align, repair or replace otheritems in the exposed areas of the transport path.

With platen 448 in the open position a servicer may also move platen 449from the closed position to the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.Rotating platen 449 about the axis of its supports to the open position,exposes the escrow area 428 of the transport path. A servicer may thenclear any jammed documents from the escrow area. The servicer may alsoclean, align, repair or replace other components that are exposed orotherwise accessible in the escrow area.

Upon completion of service the platen 449 is rotated to the closedposition. Thereafter the platen 448 is rotated to the closed position.This brings the contoured edges 456, 458 back into adjacent alignment.With platen 448 in the closed position the latch 632 is secured to holdboth platens in the closed positions, the check accepting device canthen be moved back into the operating position and secured therein. Theservicer when done, will then close the door or other device to closethe interior of the ATM housing. Of course these approaches areexemplary.

Upon closing the housing the ATM may be returned to service. This mayinclude passing a test document through the transport path through thedeposit accepting device 420 and/or reading indicia of various typesfrom one or more test documents. It may also include operating themachine to image the document that was jammed in the device to capturethe data therefrom so that the transaction that cause the ATMmalfunction can be settled by the system. Of course it should beunderstood that these approaches are exemplary and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

FIG. 41 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an automatedbanking machine 640. Banking machine 640 includes a housing 642. Housing642 of the machine includes a chest portion 644 and an upper housingportion 646. Chest portion 644 provides a secure storage area in aninterior portion thereof. The interior of the chest portion may be usedfor example to store valuable sheets such as currency notes, travelerschecks, scrip, checks, tickets or other valuable sheets that have beenreceived by and/or that are to be dispensed from the machine. The chestportion includes a suitable chest door and lock for providing authorizedaccess thereto. The upper housing portion 646 of the exemplaryembodiment also includes suitable access doors or other mechanisms toenable authorized persons to obtain access to items therein. Examples ofchest portions are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,830 and U.S. ApplicationNo. 60/519,079, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

The exemplary automated banking machine 640 includes output devicesincluding a display 648. Other output devices may include for examplespeakers, touchpads, touchscreens or other items that can provide userreceivable outputs. The outputs may include outputs of various typesincluding for example, instructions related to operation of the machine.The exemplary automated banking machine further includes input devices.These may include for example a card reader 650. The card reader may beoperative to read indicia included on cards that are associated with auser and/or a user's account. Card readers may be operative to readindicia for example, indicia encoded on a magnetic stripe, data storedin an electronic memory on the card, radiation transmitted from an itemon the card such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip orother suitable indicia. User cards represent one of a plurality of typesof data bearing records that may be used in connection with activatingthe operation of exemplary machines. In other embodiments other types ofdata bearing records such as cards, tokens, tags, sheets or other typesof devices that include data that is readable therefrom, may be used.

In exemplary embodiments data is read from a card through operation of acard reader. The card reader may include features such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,031 the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. The exemplary automated bankingmachine is operative responsive to at least one processor in the machineto use data read from the card to activate or allow operation of themachine by authorized users so as to enable such users to carry out atleast one transaction. For example the machine may operate to cause dataread from the card and/or data resolved from card data and other inputsor data from the machine, to be compared to data corresponding toauthorized users. This may be done for example by comparing dataincluding data read from the card to data stored in or resolved fromdata stored in at least one data store in the machine. Alternatively orin addition, the automated banking machine may operate to send one ormore messages including data read from the card or data resolvedtherefrom, to a remote computer. The remote computer may operate tocause the data received from the machine to be compared to datacorresponding to authorized users based on data stored in connectionwith one or more remote computers. In response to the positivedetermination that the user presenting the card is an authorized user,one or more messages may be sent from the remote computer to theautomated banking machine so as to enable operation of features thereof.This may be accomplished in some exemplary embodiments through featuressuch as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,284,695 and/or 7,266,526 thedisclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

The exemplary automated banking machine further includes a keypad 652.Keypad 652 provides a user input device which includes a plurality ofkeys that are selectively actuatable by a user. Keypad 652 may be usedin exemplary embodiments to enable a user to provide a personalidentification number (PIN). The PIN data may be used to identifyauthorized users of the machine in conjunction with data read from cardsso as to assure that machine operation is only carried out forauthorized users. Of course the input devices discussed herein areexemplary of numerous types of input devices that may be used inconnection with automated banking machines.

The exemplary automated banking machine further includes othertransaction function devices. These may include for example, a printer654. In the exemplary embodiment 654 is operative to print receipts fortransactions conducted by users of the machine. Other embodiments ofautomated banking machines may include other types of printing devicessuch as those suitable for printing statements, tickets or other typesof documents. The exemplary automated banking machine further includes aplurality of other devices. These may include for example, a sheetdispensing device 656. Such a device may be operative to serve as partof a cash dispenser device which selectively dispenses sheets such ascurrency notes from storage. It should be understood that for purposesof this disclosure, a cash dispenser device, is one or more devices thatcan operate to cause currency stored in the machine to be dispensed fromthe machine. Other devices may include a recycling device 658. Therecycling device may be operative to receive sheets into a storagelocation and then to selectively dispense sheets therefrom. Therecycling device may be of a type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,302,393 and6,131,809, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference. It should be understood that a recycling device may operateto recycle currency notes and may in some embodiments, a cash dispensermay include the recycler device. Further the exemplary embodiment mayinclude sheet storage devices 660 of the type previously describedherein which are operative to selectively store sheets in compartments.

The exemplary ATM 640 includes a deposit accepting device 662 which isdescribed in greater detail hereafter. The deposit accepting device ofan exemplary embodiment is operative to receive and analyze sheetsreceived from a machine user. The exemplary deposit accepting device isalso operative to deliver sheets from the machine to machine users. Itshould be understood that in other embodiments additional or differentdeposit accepting devices may be used. Further for purposes of thisdisclosure a deposit accepting device may alternatively be referred toas a sheet processing device.

The exemplary automated banking machine 640 further includes at leastone processor schematically indicated 664. The at least one processor isin operative connection with at least one data store schematicallyindicated 666. The processor and data store are operative to executeinstructions which control and cause the operation of the automatedbanking machine. It should be understood that although one processor anddata store are shown, embodiments of automated banking machines mayinclude a plurality of processors and data stores which operate tocontrol and cause operation of the devices of the machine.

The at least one processor 664 is shown in operative connection withnumerous transaction function devices schematically indicated 668.Transaction function devices include devices in the machine that the atleast one processor is operative to cause to operate. These may includedevices of the type previously discussed such as the card reader,printer, keypad, deposit accepting device, sheet dispenser, recycler andother devices in or that are a part of the machine.

In the exemplary embodiment the at least one processor is also inoperative connection with at least one communication device 670. The atleast one communication device is operative to enable the automatedbanking machine to communicate with one or more remote servers 672, 674through at least one network 676. It should be understood that the atleast one communication device 670 may include various types of networkinterfaces suitable for communication through one or more types ofpublic and/or private networks so as to enable the automated bankingmachine to communicate with a server and to enable ATM users to carryout transactions. Of course it should be understood that this automatedbanking machine is exemplary and that automated banking machines mayhave numerous other types of configurations and capabilities.

FIG. 42 shows in greater detail the exemplary deposit accepting device662. The exemplary deposit accepting device is in operative connectionwith a sheet opening 678 that extends through the housing of themachine. In the exemplary embodiment the sheet opening is configured toenable the sheets to be provided thereto into the machine from users, aswell as to deliver sheets from the machine to users. Access through thesheet opening is controlled in the exemplary embodiment by a movablegate 680. Gate 680 is selectively moved between the opened and closedpositions by a drive 682. The drive 682 selectively opens and closes thegate responsive to operation of the at least one processor 664.Therefore in operation of the exemplary automated banking machine thegate is moved to the open position at appropriate times duringtransactions such as when sheets are to be received into the machinefrom users and when sheets are to be delivered from the machine tousers.

The exemplary device further includes a sheet access area generallyindicated 684. The exemplary sheet access area is an area in whichsheets are received in as well as delivered from the machine. Theexemplary sheet access area includes a first sheet driver member 686.The exemplary sheet driver member 686 includes a belt flight of acontinuous belt that is selectively driven by a drive (not separatelyshown). The drive operates responsive to operation of the at least oneprocessor. The sheet access area is further bounded upwardly by a sheetdriver member 688 which in the exemplary embodiment also comprises abelt flight of a continuous belt. In the exemplary embodiment the lowerbelt flight which comprises the sheet driver member 688 is verticallymovable relative to the upper belt flight which comprises sheet drivermember 686 such that a distance between them may be selectively varied.It should be understood however that although the exemplary embodimentuses belt flights as the sheet driver members, in other embodimentsrollers, tracks, compressed air jets or other devices suitable forengaging and moving sheets may be used. In the exemplary embodiment asingle upper belt flight and lower belt flight are used to move sheetsin the sheet access area. However, it should be understood that in otherembodiments other numbers and configurations of sheet driving membersmay be used.

The exemplary sheet access area includes a divider plate 690. Theexemplary divider plate comprises a pair of divider plate portions withan opening thereinbetween. The opening extends parallel to the beltflights and enables the belt flights to engage sheets therethrough. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary. The exemplary divider plate dividesthe sheet access area into a first side 692 which is below the plate inthe exemplary embodiment, and a second side 694 which is above thedivider plate. It should be understood that although in the exemplaryembodiment only one split divider plate is used, in other embodiments aplurality of divider plates may be employed so as to divide an area intomultiple subcompartments.

In the exemplary embodiment the divider plate 690 and upper sheetdriving member 688 are selectively relatively movable vertically withrespect to the lower sheet driving member 686. This is done in a mannerlater explained so as to selectively enable the sheet driving members toengage and move sheets in either the first side or the second side. Thisis done through operation of drives schematically indicated 696. Suchdrives can include suitable motor, levers, solenoids, lead screws andother suitable structures to impart the movement described herein. Thedrives operate responsive to instructions executed by the at least oneprocessor. It should further be understood that although in theexemplary embodiment the lower sheet driving member is generally infixed vertical position relative to the housing, in other embodimentsthe lower sheet driving member may be movable and other components maybe fixed.

In the exemplary embodiment the sheet access area further includes amovable stop 698. The stop is operative to extend at appropriate timesto limit the inward insertion of documents into the sheet access area bya user. The stop operates to generally positively position insertedsheets that are going to be received and processed by the depositaccepting device. The stop is selectively movable by at least one drive(not separately shown) which moves the stop in response to operation ofthe at least one processor. The inner ends of sheet driver members 686and 688 bound an opening 699 through which sheets can move eitherinwardly or outwardly in the deposit accepting device 662.

The exemplary sheet access area is operatively connected to a picker700. The picker is operative to separate individual sheets from a stackin the sheet access area. In the exemplary embodiment the picker mayoperate in a manner like that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,636;6,874,682; and/or 7,261,236 the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference. The picker operates generally to separate eachsheet from the inserted stack of sheets. At least one sensor 702operates in the exemplary embodiment to sense thickness and enable atleast one processor to determine if the picker has failed to properlyseparate each individual sheet. In response to sensing of a double orother multiple sheet in the area beyond the picker, the at least oneprocessor operates in accordance with its programming to reverse thepicking function so as to return the sensed multiple sheets to thestack. Thereafter the picker may attempt to pick a single sheet and maymake repeated attempts until a single sheet is successfully picked.Further as later explained, in the exemplary embodiment the picker isoperative to pick sheets that may be located in either the first side692 or the second side 694 of the divider plate in the sheet accessarea.

In the exemplary embodiment the picker 700 is operative to deliverindividual sheets that have been separated from the stack to a sheetpath indicated 704. Sheets are moved in the sheet path through operationof a transport 706 which engages the sheets. It should be understoodthat although a single transport of a belt type is shown, in otherembodiments other numbers and types of transports may be employed formoving sheets.

In the exemplary embodiment the area of the sheet path includes adocument alignment area which may operate in the manner similar to thatpreviously described or in other suitable ways, to align sheets relativeto the direction that sheets are moved along the transport path. Forexample in the exemplary embodiment the transverse transport includestransverse transport rolls 710 that operate in a manner like thatpreviously discussed to engage a sheet and move it into alignment withthe transport path by sensing an edge of the sheet with a plurality ofspaced sensors which form a “virtual wall.” The transverse movement ofthe sheet by the transverse transport is operative to align the sheetrelative to the movement of sheets along sheet path in the device. Asdiscussed in more detail below, in this exemplary embodiment thealignment area includes devices operative to align the sheet as well asto determine a width dimension associated with the sheet so as tofacilitate the analysis of magnetic indicia thereon.

In some embodiments it may be desirable to use sheet transports thatmove sheets in sandwiched relation between a driving member such as aroll or belt flight, and a follower member that extends on an opposedside of the sheet from the driving member. The follower member may beoperative to assure engagement of the sheet with the driving member toassure sheet movement therewith. In some embodiments movable rolls orbelts may operate as suitable follower members. However, in someembodiments it may be desirable to use stationary resilient members asbiasing members. This may include, for example, a resilient member witha low friction sheet engaging surface to facilitate sheet movementthereon. For example such a suitable member may comprise a compressibleresilient foam body with a low friction plastic cover. Such a foammember can be used to provide biasing force to achieve sheet engagementwith a driving member. In still other embodiments the foam body may beoperatively supported on a further resilient member, such a leaf springwhich can provide a further biasing force. Such a structure for afollower member may be useful in sheet transports in providing moreuniform force distribution on moving sheets to minimize the risk ofsheet damage. Further such a sheet follower structure may be useful inproviding the follower function for one or more transports that movesheets in multiple directions, at least some of which are transverse toone another in a particular sheet transport area. As a result suchfollower structures may be used in the area in which sheets are aligned.Of course this approach is exemplary.

In the exemplary embodiment the transport 706 is operative to movesheets to engage a further transport schematically indicated 712. Thetransport is also operative to move sheets past magnetic indicia readingdevices 714, 716 which are alternatively referred to herein as magneticread heads. The exemplary embodiment further includes analysis devicesfor analyzing documents. These include for example, an imager 718.Imager 718 may be of the type previously discussed that is operative togenerate data corresponding to the visual image of each side of thesheet. Further in the exemplary embodiment an analysis device includes acurrency validator 720 is used to analyze properties of notes. Forexample in some embodiments currency validators employing the principlesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,413 which is incorporated herein byreference may be used for purposes of determining whether sheets haveone or more property associated with valid notes. The at least oneprocessor may be operative to determine whether notes received arelikely valid, invalid and/or of suspect authenticity. Other devices maybe included which sense for other properties or data which can be usedto analyze sheets for properties that are associated with authenticity.Based on determining whether sheets have at least one property, theexemplary automated banking machine is operative to store, return orotherwise process notes in a manner that is later described. Of courseit should be understood that some of the principles may be used by theat least one processor to make a determination if at least one propertyassociated with checks analyzed through devices in the machine, have oneor more properties that suggest that they are valid or invalid checks.Similarly analysis devices in a machine may be used to assess validityof other types of sheets.

In the exemplary embodiment the deposit accepting device includes asheet storage and retrieval device 722. In the exemplary embodiment thesheet storage and retrieval device includes a belt recycler. The beltrecycler may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,010 thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The sheetstorage and retrieval device is selectively operative to store sheetsthat are directed thereto from the transport 712 by a diverter 724. Thediverter is selectively operated responsive to a drive which movesresponsive to instructions from the at least one processor to causesheets to be directed for storage in the sheet storage and retrievaldevice 722.

In the exemplary embodiment the sheet accepting device further includesa sheet storage and retrieval device 726. The sheet storage andretrieval device 726 of the exemplary embodiment may be similar todevice 722. Sheets are directed to the sheet storage and retrievaldevice 726 from the transport 712 through selective operation of adiverter 728. It should be understood that although in the exemplaryembodiment the sheet storage and retrieval devices include beltrecyclers, other forms of devices that are operative to accept anddeliver sheets may be used.

In exemplary embodiments the transports 712 and 706 are selectivelyoperated responsive to respective drives. The drives operate responsiveto operation of the at least one processor to move sheets therein. Thetransports of the exemplary embodiment are operative to move sheets bothaway from and toward the sheet access area. Further in the exemplaryembodiment a diverter 730 is positioned adjacent to the sheet accessarea. The diverter 730 operates in the manner later described to directsheets moving toward the sheet access area onto the second side of thediverter plate. Of course this approach is exemplary.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the automated banking machineincludes a plurality of transports as shown, which enable sheets to beselectively moved to and from the storage area 660, the sheet dispenserdevice 656, the recycling device 658 and other devices or areas, to orfrom which sheets may be delivered and/or received. Further in theexemplary embodiment appropriate gates, diverters and/or other devicesmay be positioned adjacent to the transports so as to selectivelycontrol the movement of sheets as desired within the machine. It shouldbe understood that the configuration shown is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 43 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a documentalignment area 708. The document alignment area includes a platen 732.The platen includes a plurality of document alignment sensors 734. Thedocument alignment sensors 734 are similar to alignment sensors 474previously discussed. As with the prior embodiment three documentalignment sensors extend in spaced relation along the direction of sheetmovement in the transport path. A plurality of rollers 736 operate in amanner similar to rollers 444 and are operative to move the sheet in thedirection of the transport path. A transverse transport that isoperative to move sheets in a direction generally perpendicular to thetransport path includes transverse follower rolls 738. As in the casewith the prior described embodiment, the transverse transport includestransverse rolls on an opposed side of the transport from the platen732. As in the previously described embodiment the rollers 736 generallyengage a sheet between the rollers and other driving members such as abelt. To align the sheet, the rollers 736 move away from the sheet andthe transverse follower rolls 738 that were previously disposed awayfrom the sheet move toward the sheet to engage the sheet in sandwichedrelation between the transverse transport roll and a correspondingfollower roll. The sheet is moved transversely until it is aligned withthe direction of movement of sheets in the transport path based on thedocument alignment sensors 734. This is done in a manner like thatpreviously discussed. The transverse transport rollers are then moved todisengage the sheet while the rollers 736 move to engage the sheet sothat it now can be moved in its aligned condition in the transport path.Of course instead of rollers other types of sheet moving members may beused.

The exemplary deposit accepting device includes magnetic read heads 714and 716. Magnetic read heads 714 may be mounted in a manner like thatpreviously discussed. In the exemplary embodiment, magnetic read head714 is in a fixed transverse position relative to the sheet path.Magnetic read head 714 is generally positioned in the exemplaryembodiment relative to the sheet path so that a check that has beenaligned in the document alignment area will generally have the micr lineindicia on the check pass adjacent to the magnetic read head 714. Thisis true for two of the four possible facing positions of a check as itpasses through the device. This is represented by the exemplary checksegments 740 and 742 shown in FIG. 44.

Magnetic read head 716 is mounted in operatively supported connectionwith a mount 744. Mount 744 is movable transversely to the sheet path asrepresented by arrow M in FIG. 45. The position of read head 716transversely relative to the sheet path is changeable through operationof a positioning device 746. The positioning device may include anynumber of movement devices such as a motor, solenoid, cylinder, shapememory alloy element or other suitable element that is operative toselectively position read head 716 relative to the sheet path.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 44, read head 716 may be selectivelypositioned transversely so that when a check is in the two orientationswhere the micr line data would not pass adjacent to read head 714, suchmicr line indicia would pass adjacent to read head 716. This isrepresented by exemplary check segments 748 and 750 in FIG. 44.

In the exemplary embodiment the document alignment area includes a widthsensor 752. Width sensor 752 may include in some embodiments a pluralityof aligned sensors, a linear array charge couple device (CCD) sensors orother sensor or groups of sensors that are operative to sense at leastone dimension or property which corresponds to a width associated with acheck. In the exemplary embodiment this is done once the check has beenaligned with the transport path and the document alignment sensors 734.This capability of determining using signals from the sensor 752, thewidth of the aligned document enables at least one processor in themachine to cause the positioning device 746 to move the read head 716 tothe appropriate transverse position for reading the micr line indicia onthe check in the event that the check is in one of the two positionswherein the micr indicia is disposed on the opposite of the check fromread head 714.

The at least one processor has associated programming in at least onedata store that enables determination of the proper position for theread head 716 because check printing standards specify the location ofthe micr line indicia relative to a longitudinal edge of the check. As aresult for a given check that has been aligned in the document alignmentarea, the at least one processor is operative to determine a widthassociated with the check responsive to signals from sensor 752. Thewidth signals thereafter enable the processor to cause the read head 716to be positioned in an appropriate transverse position for reading themicr data if the check is in two of the four possible checkorientations.

It should be noted that as represented in FIG. 44 the read heads areoperative to read the micr indicia regardless of whether the indicia ison the check immediately adjacent to the read head or on an opposed sideof the check from the read head. This is because the magnetic characterswhich comprise the micr indicia can be sensed through the paper. Furtherin the exemplary embodiment the magnetic read heads are positioned in acurved area of the transport path. This generally helps to assure in theexemplary embodiment that the check is in contact or at least very closeproximity with the read head. Further the exemplary embodiment of themount 744 includes a plurality of vanes 754. Vanes 754 are curved andare operative to help guide the sheet through the area of the magneticread heads without snagging. In an exemplary embodiment the vanes 754are operative to reduce surface tension so as to facilitate movement ofsheets thereon. Of course it should be understood that these structuresare exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment at least one processor of the automatedbanking machine has associated programming that enables decoding themicr line data regardless of the facing position of the check as it ismoved past the magnetic read heads. As can be appreciated depending onthe facing position of the check the micr data may be moving in any ofthe forward direction or the backward direction and right side up orupside down as it passes in proximity to the one adjacent magnetic readhead. Signals are generated by the magnetic read head responsive to themagnetic indicia which makes up the micr line data. The programming ofthe at least one processor is operative to receive and record thesesignals, and to determine the micr line characters that correspondthereto. In the exemplary embodiment this includes comparing the datafor at least some of the characters that correspond to the micr line, todata corresponding to one or more micr line characters so that it can bedetermined the orientation in which the micr line data has been read.The at least one processor may operate in accordance with itsprogramming to conduct pattern matching of the sensed signals to signalscorresponding to known micr characters to determine the probable micrcharacters to which the signals correspond. This may be done for one ormultiple characters to determine a probable orientation of the checkdata. This probable orientation may then be checked by comparing thedata as read from the magnetic read head, to other data whichcorresponds to the micr data initially determined orientation. If theorientation corresponds to an appropriate micr line character then itprobable that the orientation has been properly determined. If howeverthe sensed data does not correspond appropriately to characters in theinitially determined orientation, then it is probable that theorientation determined is incorrect. In some embodiments the at leastone processor may operate to compare signals corresponding to themagnetic indicia read from the check to data corresponding to micr linecharacters in multiple possible orientations. The results may then becompared to determine the number of unidentifiable characters in each ofthe orientations. Generally in at least one orientation whichcorresponds to the actual orientation of the check, the at least oneprocessor will determine that all of the characters correspond toidentifiable micr line characters.

In still other embodiments character recognition analysis softwareroutines may be operative to identify micr line characters in each ofthe possible orientations which a degree of confidence. This degree ofconfidence would hopefully be much higher for one particular orientationwhich then indicates the facing position of the check as well as themicr line characters to which the data corresponds. In still otheralternative embodiments other approaches may be used to determine thefacing position of the check. This may include for example analysis ofoptical features to determine that the check is in a particularorientation. The information on a facing position as determined fromoptical features may then be used to analyze or, as a factor in theanalysis, of the magnetic indicia on the check as carried out by atleast one processor.

Of course it should be understood that while the discussion of theexemplary embodiment has included a discussion of micr line dataassociated with a check, in other embodiments other types of magneticindicia may be analyzed and used. Further it should be understood thatchecks and other items which include magnetic indicia thereon serve ascoded records on which magnetic data is encoded. Alternative approachesmay also be used in other embodiments for reading of magnetic recodedindicia on such records, and the magnetic read heads described inconnection with this particular embodiment are exemplary. Further itshould be understood that while the coded records in the form of checkshave the micr line data offset from the center line of the record andgenerally in a defined location relative to one or more edges of thedocument, other embodiments may operate to have magnetic indicia inother locations. Further some exemplary embodiments may also includeprovisions for sensing magnetic indicia on records in various locationsand determining the nature of such indicia in various locations based onsignals produced from sensing the record. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

The operation of an exemplary embodiment is now explained with referenceto FIGS. 46 through 67. The exemplary automated banking machine isoperated by a customer to perform at least one transaction involvingacceptance of sheets. This may include for example, the user providinginputs to identify themself or their account, as well as to indicate atransaction that they wish to conduct through operation of the machine.This may be done in response to instructions output through the display.The user indicates that they wish to conduct a sheet acceptingtransaction. The sheet accepting transaction may include in someembodiments, acceptance of checks, and other embodiments the sheets tobe accepted may include notes. In still other embodiments the sheets tobe accepted may include mixed notes from checks. In still otherembodiments other types of sheets or items may be accepted depending onthe capabilities of the machine.

With reference to FIG. 46, in the conduct of an exemplary transactionthe sheet access area 684 initially has external access thereto blockedby the gate 680. The user prepares a stack 756 comprising a plurality ofsheets for receipt by the machine through the sheet opening 678. Itshould be noted that in the initial position the divider plate 690 andthe belt flight 688 are disposed downward and are in generallysupporting connection with the belt flight 686. Of course it should beappreciated that as shown in FIGS. 46 through 67, the structures in thesheet acceptance area are shown in a sectional view taken through themiddle of the sheet acceptance area.

Responsive to the at least one processor in the machine operating tocause the machine to carry out a sheet accepting transaction, the atleast one processor is operative to cause the gate 680 to open as shownin FIG. 48. The at least one processor is also operative to cause thestop 698 to move to a raised position. The processor is also operativeto cause the divider plate and upper transport including the upper sheetdriver member, to be disposed a greater distance away from the beltflight 686. This enables the user to insert the stack 756 inwardly intothe area between the belt flight 768 and the divider plate 690, untilthe stack is in abutting relation with the stop. As shown in FIGS. 50and 51 the at least one processor is thereafter operative to retract thestop 698 and to cause the belt flight 688 and divider plate 690 to belowered. This provides for the stack 756 to be in sandwiched relationbetween the belt flight 686, belt flight 688 and divider plate 690. Itshould be remembered that the exemplary divider plate includes a pair ofhorizontally disposed plate portions including the central opening thatextends parallel to each belt flight belt. This enables each of the beltflights to operatively engage the sheets in the stack. The divider plateis also movably mounted relative to the housing such that each dividerplate portion can be moved vertically, responsive to at least one drive,and can also move angularly to maintain engagement with sheets. In theexemplary embodiment each of the portions of the divider plate areenabled to pivot generally about a horizontal axis that extends near thetransverse center thereof. In the exemplary embodiment the extent thateach portion of the divider plate is enabled to pivot is generallylimited to a relatively small angle. This ability of the divider plateto pivot as well as to move vertically generally in the area of the axisabout which the portion can pivot, facilitates the exemplaryembodiment's capabilities to deliver and receive sheets from users aswell as to deliver and receive sheets to and from the opening of thedeposit accepting device.

The at least one processor causes at least one drive to move the beltflights so that the stack 756 moves inwardly from the sheet access areasuch that the ends of the sheet move inwardly past the gate 680. Asshown in FIGS. 54 and 53 sensors 758 are positioned to sense the stackin the sheet access area. Responsive to the end of the stack havingmoved inward between the belt flights, the at least one processor isoperative to cause the gate 680 to close as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53.The closing of the gate prevents persons who have deposited a stack ofsheets from further accessing such sheets after they have moved in themachine.

As represented in FIGS. 54 and 55 the sheets are moved inwardly throughoperation of the belt flights so that the sheets move in the opening 699past the inward end of the divider plate and into contact with thepicker 700.

As shown in FIGS. 56 and 57 the processor then operates to cause theupper belt flight 688 to move upwardly and away from the lower beltflight 686. The divider plate 690 remains disposed above and in contactwith the stack 756. In this position the leading edge of the stackextends inward in the machine beyond the inward edge of the dividerplate and the stack moves adjacent to the picker 700. The picker thenoperates generally in the manner of the incorporated disclosures to picksheets one at a time to separate them from the stack.

In the exemplary embodiment the divider plate acts to hold the stackpositioned against the driver member 686 and adjacent a registrationplate portion 687 to facilitate reliable picking of sheets by thepicker. During picking, a thumper member 764 also acts on the bottomsheet in the stack to urge the bottom sheet to move toward the picker.The thumper member 764 moves rotationally responsive to a drive and alsoprovides an upward and inward directed force on the bottom sheet. Thedownward force applied on the top of the stack by the divider plateincreases the effective force applied by the thumper member urging thesheet at the bottom of the stack to move toward the picker. Of coursethis approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

In the operation of the exemplary embodiment the deposit acceptingdevice operates in accordance with the programming of the at least oneprocessor, to move the sheets into the document alignment area 708. Eachpicked sheet is aligned in the manner discussed, and moved in the sheetpath past the analysis devices such as the magnetic read heads 714, 716;imager 718; currency validator 720; and/or other sheet analysis devices.Of course it should be understood that in some embodiments other ordifferent sheet analysis devices may be present. For example in a devicewhich only accepts checks, a currency validator and associated sensorsmay not be present. Likewise depending on the nature of the sheets beingaccepted, other or additional analysis devices may be included.

In the exemplary embodiment sheets that have been moved past theanalysis devices are moved in the transport 712 and are directed throughoperation of the diverter 724 for storage in the sheet storage andretrieval device 722. In the exemplary embodiment the at least oneprocessor is operative responsive to the signals regarding each sheetfrom the analysis devices to analyze each sheet for at least onecharacteristic or property. These may include image properties, magneticproperties, color properties, patterns, watermarks, data or othercharacteristics that are usable to identify a sheet as an acceptablesheet for acceptance by the machine.

In some embodiments for example, the at least one processor of themachine may operate responsive to data received from the analysisdevices to determine that sheets input to the machine include validcurrency notes of a given denomination or type. The at least oneprocessor may operate responsive to determining that such valid currencynotes have been input to cause the automated banking machine to operateto cause an account associated with the user whose card data was read bya machine to be credited for an amount corresponding to such validnotes. This may be done by the at least one processor causing theautomated banking machine to communicate with one or more remotecomputers that have data stores which include data corresponding to auser's account and the funds allocated thereto. In still otherembodiments the at least one processor may operate in the case ofreceived documents which are checks, to determine whether such checksappear to be valid and a user is authorized to be given credit for suchchecks. This may include for example analyzing the checks in accordancewith the incorporated disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,695 for example.The automated banking machine may operate using data read from thechecks such as the micr line data, image data and/or other data, tocause the automated banking machine to determine that the user of themachine is to be provided value for one or more checks received by themachine. Of course the at least one processor may operate in otherembodiments to analyze data read by analysis devices from other types ofitems which have been received by the machine and make determinations asto whether such items are acceptable and/or whether a user is to beprovided with credit therefor.

Further, in some embodiments it should be understood that the at leastone processor may also operate to identify certain items as unacceptableto the machine. These may include for example items which cannot beidentified as valid currency notes, checks or other items that themachine is programmed to accept. The at least one processor in themachine may operate in accordance with its programming and/or datareceived by communication with remote computers to determine that theitems the user has input cannot be accepted by the machine. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary.

In an exemplary embodiment after sheets have been received in themachine the at least one processor is then operative to cause the sheetstorage and retrieval device 722 to deliver the sheets one by one to thetransport 712. The transport operates to move each of the sheets towardthe sheet access area. The diverter 724 is operative to direct thesheets as appropriate toward the sheet access area. As each of thesheets move in the transport 712, the diverter 728 is operative toselectively direct sheets that have been determined to include the atleast one property associated with acceptable sheets, to the sheetstorage and retrieval device 726. Device 726 is operative to storeacceptable sheets while the unacceptable sheets continue in the sheetpath toward the sheet access area. In the transport 706 sheets areengaged by the diverter 730 and are directed through the opening 699onto the second side 794 of the sheet access area. The rejected sheetswhich are positioned on the second side of the divider plate 690 can bedelivered to the machine user in a manner later discussed.

In operation of the exemplary embodiment, the at least one processor isthen operative to cause the sheet storage and retrieval device 726 todeliver the acceptable sheets therefrom. The transport 712 is operativeto move each sheet to an appropriate storage area in the machine. Forexample sheets which are checks may be stored in the storage device 660.Sheets which are notes may be stored in connection with the sheetrecycler device 658 or in another suitable sheet storage area. It shouldbe understood that a plurality of different types of sheet storage areasmay be included in the machine for storage of one or more types ofsheets.

Although in the exemplary embodiment sheets received in the machine arealigned with the sheet path before being analyzed and stored on thesheet storage and retrieval device 722, there is a risk that sheets maybe come misaligned as they are attempted to be moved out of the machineand through the opening 699 to the user. The exemplary embodimentincludes features operative to minimize the risk of sheets becomingjammed or otherwise rendering the deposit accepting device inoperativebecause of such misalignment. The exemplary embodiment includes sheetsensors 735 and 737 as schematically represented in FIG. 43. The sheetsensors 735 and 737 are disposed in a first direction inwardly relativeto the opening 699 through which sheets pass in and out of the machine.Each of the sensors 735 and 737 are disposed transversely relative tothe area where sheets normally move in the sheet path. Each of thesesensors is also in operative connection with at least one processorthrough appropriate interfaces.

If during operation of the machine, when sheets are being returned tothe sheet access area, a sheet is sensed by one of the sensors, it is anindication to the at least one processor that a sheet is substantiallyout of alignment with the opening 699 and may present a problem if it iscontinued to be moved toward the sheet access area. In the exemplaryembodiment responsive to the sensing of the sheet by either sensor 735or 737, the at least one processor is operative to cause the transportto stop the movement of the sheet in the outward direction toward theopening. The at least one processor then operates to cause the transportto move the sheet into the sheet alignment area. This is done by movingthe sheet inward into the machine from the area of the sensor 735 or 737which sensed the sheet. The at least one processor then causes thedevices in the sheet alignment area to engage the sheet and align itwith the transport path. This is done in a manner like that previouslydescribed by moving the sheet transversely such that an edge of thesheet is aligned with the virtual wall formed by sensors 734. Once thesheet is aligned the at least one processor then causes the sheet to bereengaged with the transport which attempts to move the sheet outwardthrough the opening 699 and into the sheet access area. In the exemplaryembodiment the fact that the sheet has been aligned and is in a properorientation is determined responsive to the fact that the sheet is notsensed by either of sensors 735 or 737. Of course it should beunderstood that this approach is exemplary and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used. This may include for example having aplurality of sensors spaced transversely or in other locations in thesheet path which can be used to determine the location and/ororientation of the document.

Further in the exemplary embodiment if an attempt is made to align asheet with the sheet path so it can be returned through the opening, anddespite this effort the sheet is again sensed as out of alignment, theat least one processor will operate in accordance with its programmingto make a further attempt to align the sheet with the sheet path. Thissecond attempt in the exemplary embodiment again involves engaging thesheet with the transverse transports and aligning it with the sheetpath. If after this second attempt when the machine operates to try toreturn the sheet to the sheet access area and there is again sensed anindication that the sheet is misaligned, the at least one processor willthereafter operate in accordance with its programming to cause at leastone message to be sent from the automated banking machine to a remotecomputer to indicate that there is a probable jam and malfunction of thedeposit accepting device. Alternatively or in addition in someembodiments the at least one processor may operate to take otherremedial actions. These may include for example attempting to realignthe sheet additional times. Alternatively or in addition the at leastone processor may operate to again accept the sheet into a storagedevice in the machine, or the at least one processor may cause the sheetto move the sheet in the transport to a location in the machine for suchsheets that cannot be processed. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Rejected sheets that have been moved to the second side of the dividerplate are returned to the banking machine user in a manner shown inFIGS. 66 and 67. The rejected sheets 760 are held in a stack on theupper side of the divider plate. The at least one processor is operativeto cause belt flight 688 and divider plate 690 to move downward suchthat the rejected sheets are in sandwiched relation between belt flight688 and belt flight 686. The at least one processor is then operative toopen the gate 680. The processor operates to cause at least one drive tomove the belts so as to extend the sheets in the stack 670 outwardthrough the opening in the housing of the machine.

It should be understood that in exemplary embodiments the rejectedsheets may be returned to the user while the accepted sheets are beingmoved to other storage locations in the machine. Alternatively in someembodiments the user may be given the option by the banking machine tohave all of the sheets that they have deposited, returned. This may beaccomplished in the exemplary embodiment by the sheets in the sheetstorage and retrieval device 726 being moved through the sheet path tothe sheet access area. Alternatively or in addition, in some embodimentsthe user may be offered the opportunity to retry the unacceptablesheets. In still other embodiments the machine may operate to hold instorage unacceptable sheets which the at least one processor hasdetermined may be associated with the user attempting to perpetrate afraud. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

In still other alternative embodiments sheets may be determined asunacceptable relatively quickly, and may be identified as sheets thatshould be returned to a user before all of the sheets in the stack inputby the user to the sheet access area have been picked. Alternatively orin addition a user may provide one or more inputs indicating that theywish to abort a transaction prior to all of the sheets in the inputstack being picked. These situations may be associated with theconfigurations of the exemplary deposit accepting device shown in FIGS.58 and 59. For example a rejected sheet 762 may be returned to the sheetaccess area prior to all the sheets from the sheet stack having beenpicked. This may be the result of the rejected sheet 762, having beenanalyzed and determined to be unacceptable. Alternatively in someembodiments the rejected sheet may be the result of the user indicatingthat they wish to abort the transaction. As shown in FIGS. 58 and 59,such a rejected sheet is diverted through operation of the diverter 730into the second side 694 such that the sheet is supported on the upperside of the divider plate 690.

The return of sheets to the banking machine user is represented in FIGS.60 and 61. The at least one processor is operative to cause the dividerplate 690 and belt flight 688 to move downward such that the sheetswhich are on each side of the divider plate are in sandwiched relationbetween the belt flights 686 and 688. The at least one processor isoperative to open the gate 680 and to move the belt flights as shownsuch that the sheets on each side of the divider plate are moved outwardthrough the opening 678 in the housing. The user may then take thesheets from the machine.

FIGS. 62 through 65 represent an exemplary operation that can be carriedout by the machine if the user does not take the checks or other sheetsthat have been presented to the user by the machine. As shown in FIG. 62the sheets which are positioned on both sides of the diverter plate 690are moved through operation of the belt flights toward the picker. Uponthe stacks of sheets reaching the picker, the gate 680 is closed. Thepicker 700 is then operated to pick the sheets. The sheets are pickedfrom the area 692 below the diverter plate and then from the side 694above the diverter plate. This is achieved because in the area adjacentthe picker, the sheets regardless of whether they are above or below thediverter plate generally form a continuous sheet stack which enables allthe sheets to be picked regardless of whether they are above or belowthe divider plate.

In the exemplary embodiment the at least one processor is operative tocause the retracted sheets to be stored in a suitable area of themachine. The machine is further operative to record the fact that theuser did not take the presented sheets. This enables the sheets toeventually be traced to and/or returned to the particular user. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches to operation of the machine may be used. It should beunderstood however that in this exemplary embodiment the machineoperates to clear the sheet access area so that transactions can beconducted for subsequent banking machine users even though a user didnot take their presented sheets.

A further aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the use of a thumpermember 764 in connection with picking sheets from the stack. In theexemplary embodiment the thumper member 764 is a rotating memberincluding a raised area. It is aligned with the opening in the dividerplate. The raised area is operative to displace the sheet and urge thesheet bounding the lower end of the stack to move into engagement withthe picker 700. The bouncing movement of the stack of sheets isoperative to help break the forces associated with surface tension andto help to separate the lowermost sheet from the stack. As previouslydiscussed, when the divider plate acts on top of a stack of sheets, or adriver member acts on top of a stack of sheets, the force applied by thethumper member to the sheets is enhanced. Of course this approach isexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In a further aspect of an exemplary embodiment, sensors are provided fordetermining the positions of sheets in this sheet access area. As can beappreciated in the exemplary embodiment one pair of opposed belt flightsare operative to operatively engage and move sheets both above and belowthe divider plate. In operating the exemplary banking machine the atleast one processor is operative to determine the location of sheets,and specifically whether sheets are present on the first side 692 belowthe divider plate 690 or in the second side 694 above the divider plate.

This is accomplished in an exemplary embodiment through an arrangementshown in FIGS. 68 and 69. FIG. 69 shows a plan view of a portion thatcorresponds to half of the divider plate 690. In the exemplaryembodiment the divider plate 690 includes reflective pieces 766 and 768thereon. In the exemplary embodiment reflective pieces 766 and 768comprise a piece of tape that is operative to reflect radiationtherefrom. In an exemplary embodiment the tape may be an adhesive backedtape although in other embodiments other materials and pieces may beused. Further the exemplary embodiment of the portion of the dividerplate 690 includes apertures 770 and 772 therein.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the reflective pieces are angularreflective pieces. This includes in the exemplary embodiment materialwith angular reflective properties such that radiation striking thereflective piece at an acute angle is reflected from the reflectivepiece back at the same or almost the same acute angle. This isaccomplished in an exemplary embodiment due to the orientation ofreflective elements within the reflective piece. Thus for example asshown in FIG. 68 a sensor 774 which includes a radiation emitter and aradiation receiver is enabled to sense whether reflective piece 766 iscovered by at least one adjacent sheet. Further the sensor 774 isenabled to sense that reflective piece 766 is covered or uncovered froma position that is laterally disposed from the side 694 in which sheetsmay be positioned. Likewise a similar sensor 776 is operative to sensewhether a sheet is covering reflective piece 768 in a position disposedlaterally from the divider plate. As can be appreciated these sensorsenable the sensing of whether sheets are present, as well as theirposition on the second side 694 above the divider plate 690.

Also in this exemplary embodiment the sensor 778 includes emitter 780and a receiver 782. The emitter 780 and receiver 782 are disposed fromone another and aligned with aperture 770. As a result the ability ofthe receiver 782 to sense radiation from the emitter 780 indicates thatsheets are not present either on the first side 692 or the second side694 in the area of aperture 770. Similarly a sensor 784 which includesan emitter 786 and a receiver 788 is operative to determine if sheetsare present either on the first side 692 or on the second side 694 inthe area of aperture 772.

Further in an exemplary embodiment, a sheet support plate 790 ispositioned in generally parallel relation with belt flight 686 andextends laterally on each transverse side thereof. A reflective piece792 supported thereon operates in conjunction with the sensor 794.Sensor 794 is of a type similar to sensor 774 and includes an emitterand adjacent receiver. Similarly a reflective piece 796 operates inconjunction with a sensor 798. Such reflective pieces and sensors may beused to independently sense the presence and/or location of sheets onthe first side 692. Further as can be appreciated, support plate 790includes apertures 800 and 802 which are aligned with sensors 788 and784 respectively. Further in other embodiments a support plate may bepositioned adjacent to belt flight 688. Such a support plate may alsoinclude apertures and/or reflective elements positioned thereon. Such asupport plate may be of the type previously described or may be of adifferent construction. Further such a support plate may include angularreflective pieces so as to enable the sensing of sheets proximatethereto with a sensor that is positioned transversely of the area inwhich sheets may be positioned. As can be appreciated this ability tosense the sheets may include the positioning of the sensors transverselyfrom the sheet holding areas and positions as may be convenient andwhere space is available within the given housing structure of theautomated banking machine.

This exemplary arrangement of sensors enables the at least one processorto determine the presence and position of sheets on both the first sideand the second side of the divider plate 690. The ability of theexemplary embodiment to sense in such areas through the use of sensorswhich are laterally disposed away from the area in which sheets mustpass, provides benefits in terms of being able to position the sensorsin ways that do not interfere with the movement of the devicecomponents. It should be understood however that these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments the use of different types of sensorsfor the detection of sheets may be used.

It should be understood that in the exemplary embodiment the depositaccepting device may also operate as part of the cash dispenser of themachine. This may be accomplished for example, through operation of theprocessor which causes currency sheets to be picked from the sheetdispenser device 656 and/or the sheet recycling device 758 for deliveryto an ATM user. Such sheets may be moved through the various transportsand delivered to the sheet access area. Such sheets may be presented tothe user through the opening in the ATM housing in the manner previouslydiscussed. Of course while the exemplary embodiment enables the depositaccepting device to operate as part of the currency dispenser, in otherembodiments a separate device may be used for dispensing currency sheetswhile the deposit accepting device is operative only to accept and storesheets. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In addition it should be understood that although in the exemplaryembodiment particular structures are disclosed for the sheet movingdevices, divider plate and other sheet handling mechanisms, in otherembodiments other structures may be used. This may include for exampleadditional numbers of divider plates and sheet moving devices.Alternatively or in addition rather than using a split divider platehaving two portions as in the exemplary embodiment, other embodimentsmay include divider plates with apertures which can accept rollers,balls or other types of sheet moving devices therein. In addition whilethe exemplary embodiment is described in connection with sheet handlingdevices that move belts and the divider plate relatively vertically toone another, and in which the vertical position of the lower belt isfixed, other embodiments may include different arrangements. Thesearrangements may include transports and divider plates which movehorizontally or angularly relative to one another to achieve thedelivery and acceptance of sheets from a user. Further additionaldevices and structures may be combined with or used in lieu of thestructures and devices described in connection with the exemplaryembodiments herein.

Thus the exemplary embodiments achieve at least some of the above statedobjectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of priordevices and systems, and attain the useful results described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been described asexemplary embodiments for purposes of brevity, clarity andunderstanding. However no unnecessary limitations are to be impliedtherefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and areintended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the features shown or described.

Further, in the following claims any feature described as a means forperforming a function shall be construed as encompassing any means knownto those skilled in the art as being capable of carrying out the recitedfunction, and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shownor described for performing the recited function in the foregoingdescription, or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, any ofthe advantages and useful results attained; the new and usefulstructures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations,systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships areset forth in the appended claims.

1. A method of sensing coded records comprising: (a) receiving a stackof sheets comprising a plurality of at least one of notes and checks,into a sheet access area within an automated banking machine, whereinthe sheet access area extends between a first sheet engaging member andsecond sheet engaging member; (b) subsequent to (a), removing sheets inthe stack from the sheet access area one at a time through operation ofa picker in the machine; (c) determining through operation of themachine if at least one sheet is present in the sheet access area usingat least one radiation sensor, wherein the at least one radiation sensoris disposed transversely of and outside the sheet access area, and isoperative to receive radiation reflected from an angular reflectivepiece operatively attached to one of the first sheet engaging member andsecond sheet engaging member; (d) analyzing data included on the sheetsthrough operation of at least one sheet processor device of the machine.2. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (c) the at least oneradiation sensor includes a radiation emitter and a radiation receiver,and wherein the angular reflective piece comprises a planar piece, andwherein radiation is received by the planar piece from the emitter at anacute angle and reflected from the planar piece to the receiver at theacute angle.
 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein in (c) theplanar piece comprises reflective adhesive tape.
 4. The method accordingto claim 2 and further comprising: (c) subsequent to (d), moving atleast one sheet analyzed in (d) to a further sheet access area, whereinthe further sheet access area extends between the second sheet engagingmember and a third sheet engaging member; (f) determining throughoperation of the machine if at least one sheet is present in the furthersheet access area using at least one further radiation sensor, whereinthe at least one further radiation sensor is disposed transversely ofand outside the further sheet access area, and receives radiationreflected from a further angular reflective piece operatively attachedto one of the second sheet engaging member and the third sheet engagingmember.
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein in (f) the at leastone further radiation sensor includes a further radiation emitter and afurther radiation receiver, and wherein the further angular reflectivepiece comprises a further planar piece, and wherein radiation isreceived by the further planar piece from the further radiation emitterat a further acute angle and reflected from the further planar piece tothe further radiation receiver at the further acute angle.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5 wherein in (f) the further planar piece comprisesreflective adhesive tape.
 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein (c)further includes sensing radiation that passes directly from anadditional radiation emitter to an additional radiation receiver throughat least one aperture that extends in at least one of the first sheetengaging member and the second sheet engaging member.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein (c) further includes sensing radiation thatpasses directly from an additional radiation emitter to an additionalradiation receiver through at least one aperture that extends in atleast one of the first sheet engaging member and the second sheetengaging member.
 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein (f) furtherincludes sending radiation that passes directly from the additionalradiation emitter to the additional radiation receiver through at leastone aperture that extends in at least one of the second sheet engagingmember and the third sheet engaging member.
 10. The method according toclaim according to claim 9 and further comprising: (g) prior to (d) foreach sheet, moving each sheet through operation of the machine to alignthe sheet in a transport path in the machine.
 11. The method accordingto claim 10 and further comprising: (h) prior to (d) for each sheet,determining a sheet width through operation of the machine, and moving amagnetic sensing device through operation of the machine responsive tothe determined sheet width.
 12. The method according to claim 11 wherein(d) includes at least one of determining through operation of themachine at least one of the authenticity of at least one note and theacceptability of at least one check by the machine.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 12 and further comprising: (i) storing a plurality ofsheets analyzed in (d) in at least one storage and retrieval device inthe machine.
 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein (e) includesmoving the at least one sheet through operation of the machine from theat least one storage and retrieval device to the further sheet accessarea.
 15. The method according to claim 14 and further comprising: (j)reading data from a user card through operation of a card reader in themachine; (k) determining responsive to operation of the machine that thedata read in (j) corresponds to an authorized user of the machine. 16.The method according to claim 15 and further comprising: (l) creditingresponsive to operation of the machine, the authorized user a valueassociated with at least one sheet analyzed in (d).
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16 and further comprising: (m) prior to (a), movingthe second sheet engaging member relatively vertically away from thefirst sheet engaging member and a first belt flight in operativelysupported connection with the first sheet engaging member, to providethe first sheet access area.
 18. The method according to claim 17 andfurther comprising: (n) subsequent to (b) and prior to (e), moving thesecond sheet engaging member relatively vertically away from the thirdsheet engaging member and a second belt flight in operatively supportedconnection with the third sheet engaging member, to provide the secondsheet access area.
 19. The method according to claim 18 and furthercomprising: (o) prior to (b), moving the first and second belt flightsvertically closer together and into operative engagement with the stack,and moving the first and second belt flights to move the stack tooperatively engage the stack and the picker.
 20. The method according toclaim 19 and further comprising: (p) dispensing notes from the machinethrough operation of a cash dispenser of the machine.
 21. Apparatusincluding adjustable guides for holding coded records, comprising: ahousing; a first sheet engaging plate movably mounted operativesupported connection with the housing; a second sheet engaging plate inmovably mounted operatively supported connection with the housing; anangular reflective piece in operative supported connection with one ofthe first sheet engaging plate or the second sheet engaging plate,wherein the angular reflective piece is operative to receive radiationat an acute angle and reflect the received radiation back at the acuteangle; a radiation sensor including an emitter and a receiver, whereinthe sensor is laterally disposed from an area between the first andsecond sheet engaging plates; a device operative to at least one ofplace sheets comprising coded records between the first and second sheetengaging plates and remove sheets from between the first and secondsheet engaging plates; wherein radiation sensed by the sensor reflectedfrom the angular reflective piece is indicative of whether at least onesheet is positioned between the first and second sheet engaging plates.